HomeBASE
HomeBASE
HomeBASE is a program of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) designed to reduce the need for motels and shelters. The goal is to assist families who are facing homelessness to find alternative solutions to entering shelter and/or motels. Additionally, it seeks to reduce the number of families already in shelters and motels by providing financial assistance, resources, and services to quickly re-house these families.
Metro Housing|Boston is one of 11 statewide agencies contracted by DHCD to administer this program and we are responsible for administering HomeBASE in 29 communities, including Boston. Metro Housing works in partnership with the three Transitional Assistance Offices (TAO) in our region to determine alternative housing options for families eligible for EA shelter, and provides housing search assistance for EA families placed in all motel shelters in our region
Eligibility
To be considered for HomeBASE a family must be determined eligible for Emergency Assistance (EA) by a DHCD Homeless Coordinator. Eligibility requires that a participant have an annual household income at or below 115% of the federal poverty level and a child under 21. In addition, the family must be homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, and meet criteria regarding the cause of homelessness (see EA regulations).
Services and Benefits
HomeBASE services include assessment, housing search, placement, and case management and stabilization services. Families who applied for assistance and were found eligible as well as families who were placed in emergency shelters or motels (and are in EA compliance) are eligible for a re-housing benefit of up to $10,000. This benefit may be used in any combination to address a variety of needs including:
- First/last month’s rent, and security deposit.
- Rent and/or utility arrearage.
- Short-term monthly rental payment.
- Moving expenses to another state or to another location in Massachusetts.
- Basic furniture needs such as a mattress, box spring, frame, kitchen table/chairs, and refrigerator.
To learn more about HomeBASE, visit mass.gov or contact Brenda Core at Brenda.Core@MetroHousingBoston.org.
Green Space Financial Coaching
Green Space is a financial literacy and housing stabilization program for low- and moderate-income families and individuals in Greater Boston. Green Space provides workshops and one-on-one financial coaching with no time limits, focusing on each participant’s financial priorities. Green Space also provides housing stabilization case management services as needed.
Topics Covered
- Financial Readiness
- Budgeting and Smart Spending
- Banking and Saving
- Credit and Debt
- Financial Goals
Who would benefit from this program?
- New job or increased pay
- Behind on rent or utility payments
- Don’t have enough money saved to handle emergencies
- Trying to reduce your debt
- Low credit scores
- Would like to save for a car, a house or education
- Are you feeling stuck when it comes to managing your money…?