Advocates told the Joint Committee on Housing that strengthening HomeBASE — the state program that provides rehousing subsidies for families — is essential to prevent re‑entry into homelessness for families placed in temporary housing.

Why it matters: Witnesses said HomeBASE helps families get out of hotels and motels and into apartments but that the program’s current limits can leave households vulnerable when short-term subsidy periods expire. "The current limit of $30,000 over 24 months is not stabilizing households, but is often creating a new eviction crisis for them along the way," testified Jill Currier, who asked the committee to increase the initial maximum to $50,000 over the first 24 months and to allow extensions where necessary.

Testimony and evidence: Attorneys from Greater Boston Legal Services, housing navigators and municipal housing staff described families who found apartments with HomeBASE but faced impending loss of that subsidy before they could reach longer-term options. Advocates said the state’s shelter appropriations and reductions in shelter capacity make early and sustained rental assistance more important. Elizabeth Alfred (GBLS) and Tim (GBLS) urged codifying the program and increasing funding; Jill Currier (City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability) provided detailed income-to-rent examples showing that many families would still face unaffordable rents even after HomeBASE assistance.

Program changes requested: Codify HomeBASE into statute (H1469 / S1011), increase the initial benefit ceiling (witnesses proposed $50,000 over the first 24 months), allow flexibility for extensions, and ensure program rules align with the realities of voucher wait lists and local housing markets.

Conclusion: Supporters asked the committee to report the bills favorably and to budget the program to reflect current rental costs so families rehoused through HomeBASE do not quickly fall back into homelessness.