MHSA_Municipality-Supportive Housing Overview-Winter 2025 — File 25-0354

Supportive Housing: Solutions to Homelessness

Who We Are The Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization working to end homelessness among individuals through advocacy and the development of housing solutions. For more than 30 years, MHSA has been a policy driver and a catalyst for change. Partnering with nearly 100 community- based agencies across the state, MHSA has sparked innovation, reimagining the traditional emergency shelter system to create permanent housing offering essential wraparound services and accessible health care.

Advocacy and Policy work Funding and Technical Assistance – to providers and communities What We Do Innovation - launch, test, and manage models, in partnership with member agencies Convening – member agencies, partners to learn, collaborate, network 1. 2. 3. 4.

What is Supportive Housing? Supportive housing combines affordable housing with services that help people who face the most complex challenges to live with stability, autonomy and dignity. Employment Services Mental Health Services Primary Health Services Case Management Parenting / Life Skill Coaching Substance Use Treatment Affordable Housing

Total Homeless Households: Who needs Supportive Housing? At most about 30% of households need this most expensive, intensive intervention Homeless long-term with disabling conditions “Chronic” 2,240 people “High Acuity” Disabling conditions and episodes of homelessness 2,180 people As of November 2024 13,770 90% Individuals 10% Families

How is Supportive Housing Funded? Capital Operating Services May use federal, state, and local sources – public and private

Impact of Supportive Housing Individuals housed in supportive housing through HHG and PFS: 2,200+ Service providers across the state: 25+ Reports from two statewide supportive housing initiatives: Pay For Success (PFS), Home and Healthy for Good (HHG) Of tenants stay stable in their homes more than a year 85% Average annual healthcare savings per housed individual, even while accessing “significantly more” outpatient mental health services “The findings from this study demonstrate the effectiveness of a housing and supportive services program in reducing total health care utilization and costs for medical and behavioral health services provided to chronically homeless MassHealth members.” Link to BCBS of Massachusetts Foundation study * * $5,267

Fully Investing in Supportive Housing Benefits Everyone Police can devote more time to community safety Hospitals can devote more emergency care to emergencies Homeless shelter numbers drop, fewer people are living on the streets

Supportive Housing is already part of the fabric of our communities. There are 9,500 units in MA. Boston & Cambridge: 3,800 Cape Cod: 200 Central: 750 Metro North & West: 1,900 South East: 1,400 Western: 1,450 Approximate Counts

Four Innovations to Add More Supportive Housing, Faster Tenancy Support Services using Medicaid Supportive Housing Pool Fund Modular Construction Master Leasing

Tenancy Support Services Using Medicaid Supports permanent supportive housing through CSPECH Medicaid Reimbursement: MHSA Innovation: First-in-nation program launched by MHSA & Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership Program Milestones: 2005: Pilot launched using 1115 waiver (Medicaid flexibility) 2023: Fully covered service Expanded beyond “chronic” to include frequent healthcare users & behavioral health needs

Tenancy Support Services Using Medicaid • Covers any eligible person moving into supportive housing Current Model – CSP-HI: • Ongoing Medicaid-funded services for stability • Core funding for supportive housing in Massachusetts

Supportive Housing Pool Fund Added to Massachusetts 2024 Housing Bond Bill – Affordable Homes Act (no funding yet, just policy framework) Policy: Funding Strategy: Pools funding from government, foundations, private sources Key Benefits: • Fills funding and service gaps • Streamlines coordination across state housing, healthcare, service agencies • Promotes cross-sector collaboration • Includes data tracking

Master Leasing Nonprofit leases an entire property from a property owner and then subleases units to people experiencing homelessness Model: MHSA Innovation: Using this model to accelerate new housing development

Master Leasing Families Benefits for Developers: • Multi-year lease agreements (5+ years) • Tenant screening, evictions, and day-to-day management handled • Support services integrated through partnerships or a combined entity Faster Housing development in 18 months or less Lower Cost No public cost for development Population Fit Supports those facing rental barriers

Modular Construction • Modular Construction: Volumetric – like Lego blocks • Micro-efficiency Units: Small studio with bathroom, kitchenette • Infill Properties: On a typical lot for a triple decker – 16 micro units • Modular Templates: Speedy approval, cost-efficient design

What can municipalities do to add supportive housing? • Planning • Siting and Zoning • Funding • Partnership with Developers & Service Providers

18 • Repurposed motel to provide 90 units of supportive housing • Community garden, fitness room, ample green space • Recovery coaches, mental health professional services • Stores and services within walking distance Worcester Community Housing Resources

The Chelsea Commons • Partnered with Bay Cove Human Services and local landlord in Chelsea • Renovated old YMCA building into 58 SROs & studios and on-site offices for Bay Cove Remodeled June 2022

Women's Houses – Bay Cove & MHSA Orchid House Marigold House • 13 units in Chelsea plus Bay Cove Office on site • First Move In October 2023 • 11 units in Chelsea plus Bay Cove Office on site • First Move In February 2024

CV CV CV “This is the best living situation I have ever had… This is where I am healing.” “I wake up in a safe environment. I know there are people in the building who will keep me safe no matter what.” Meet Roy “Now every day is a bright sunny day.” Slide content courtesy of the Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition