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Service providers urge Boston council to restore homeless-intervention funding that supports students
Summary
Public commenters and BPS officials told the Ways and Means Committee that privately organized programs and legal services (REHAB/HIP and Access to Counsel) help prevent evictions, stabilize families and reduce chronic absenteeism, and they asked the council to restore or replace lost funding.
Several partner organizations urged the City Council on April 16 to restore or replace funding for programs that intervene early to prevent homelessness for families with school-age children. Larry Siemens, president and CEO of Family Aid Boston, described the REHAB/HIP (early homelessness intervention and prevention) program as a $4.3 million effort organized by Family Aid that deploys 28 social workers, housing navigators and more than 20 partner agencies to help families remain housed.
Siemens told the committee that REHAB and associated eviction-prevention efforts have demonstrable outcomes: “The research my colleagues and I conducted over the past six years showed that families participating in the HIP experienced improved housing stability, higher levels of well-being and reduced chronic absenteeism,” read written testimony delivered in the hearing.
Head Erlich of Greater Boston Legal Services described Access to Counsel and eviction-defense representation for households with school-age children and reported high success in avoiding homelessness when families receive early legal help. Both Erlich and Siemens urged the council to consider restoring city or grant funding that was not included in the mayor’s proposed budget.
BPS leaders said the district values those partnerships and that the Housing Education Resource Network (HERN), school-based homeless liaisons and rapid-shelter referrals remain core elements of the district’s approach. District staff acknowledged grant volatility and said they are seeking patch funding and reorganizing oversight to preserve school-level continuity, but they warned that service levels may be constrained without new dollars.
Committee members asked for information about how many students are identified as unhoused and about the mechanics of referrals and transportation supports; district officials said some data points need further unpacking and offered to collaborate with the council on data and funding strategies.
