Mass. Senate Plan Would Stabilize Family Housing

A version of the Massachusetts state budget passed by the Senate last week includes provisions to help prevent families from slipping into homelessness.

Two amendments are meant to aid families on the verge of losing their homes by helping them gain access to permanent affordable housing or find assistance programs that can help stabilize their living situations.

The amendments are also intended to help families more easily find emergency shelter if needed.

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, an Acton Democrat, said Massachusetts must continue to offset the high cost of housing and provide more feasible options for subsidized housing.

He said more than 5,000 low-income families could lose their temporary rental assistance in 2014 through the HomeBASE program.

The program provides financial assistance to pay rent, utility bills, security deposits and other expenses to help families stay in their homes.