1. HomeBASE
December 6, 2018

2. 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

3. 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 ( )
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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Contact
Amy Mullen HomeBASE and RAFT Contract and Compliance Coordinator Division of Housing Stabilization Department of Housing and Community Development (617)