The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is reducing benefits for Section 8 housing voucher holders, such as utility and security deposit allowances, due to rising rent and insufficient federal funding. This decision aims to safeguard existing vouchers for residents facing financial stress. Sarah Scott from Metro Housing Boston emphasized that these careful adjustments will help maintain as many vouchers as possible amid funding challenges. Currently, thousands of eligible households remain unserved, highlighting the ongoing rental assistance crisis in the state.
No one is happy that we have to make these changes, but they were done with great care and great consideration to ensure that no matter what funding changes do come down the line, we can ensure that those who have vouchers today will continue to have vouchers.
Scott said the organization worked with the state throughout this process to "best determine what changes can be made to preserve as many vouchers as possible."
According to a 2022 report, "A Right to Rental Assistance in Massachusetts," approximately 585,000 households in the state meet the criteria for state rental assistance.
The changes will raise costs for those whose budgets are already stretched thin.
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