HomeBASE December 6, 2018

What is HomeBASE? Rehousing benefit for homeless families Three entry points Diversion from Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter – “Front Door” Exit from EA shelter – “Back Door” Exit from DPH-funded domestic violence shelter or BSAS residential family treatment program – “Side Door” Benefit of up to $10,000 over a 12-month period Payments are made directly to landlords and vendors by 11 HomeBASE Regional Administering Agencies around Massachusetts

Emergency Assistance (EA) eligibility Except for families exiting through the “Side Door,” households first must be found eligible for EA in order to use HomeBASE EA eligibility is determined by DHCD homeless coordinators at regional DTA offices or telephonically (1-866-584-0653) MA resident with dependents under 21 or pregnant Income below 115% Federal Poverty Guidelines Assets below $5,000 Homeless because of at least one of four qualifying reasons: No-fault fire, flood, natural disaster, condemnation, or foreclosure Fleeing domestic violence No-fault eviction or excused fault eviction Child is exposed to a substantial health and safety risk

Accessing HomeBASE Front Door Family stays somewhere safe temporarily and searches for a unit with the help of HomeBASE Diversion case manager Family must use HomeBASE within 60 days of being found eligible for EA Back Door Family stays in EA shelter and searches for a unit with the help of shelter rehousing case manager No time limit as long as family remains in EA Side Door Family stays in DPH program and searches for a unit with the help of HomeBASE Administering Agency case manager No time limit as long as family remains in DPH program

Examples of allowable uses of HomeBASE First month’s rent Last month’s rent Security deposit Monthly rental stipend (only in MA, and only for non-subsidized housing) Relocation out of state Furniture up to $1,000 (waivers available for families of seven or more) Moving expenses Utility arrears

Stabilization Every family who uses HomeBASE receives 12 months of stabilization services Exception: families who move out of state If the family’s origin was shelter: The shelter provider provides the stabilization If the family’s origin was the Front Door or a DPH/BSAS program: The regional HomeBASE Administering Agency provides stabilization Family and stabilization case manager develop a stabilization plan that might include: Further housing search Connection to community resources Job search assistance Help with increasing income and budgeting

Contact Amy Mullen HomeBASE and RAFT Contract and Compliance Coordinator Division of Housing Stabilization Department of Housing and Community Development (617) 573-1368 amy.mullen2@mass.gov