A-Z Resources/ Critical Safety Resources

A-Z Resources

MA RESOURCES

 

A

Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP)- rental assistance vouchers to applicants with disabilities who are not elderly and who have been determined eligible for Chapter 667 (elderly/handicapped) housing

B

Bridge Housing- Intended to be used for short-term stays in transitional housing by Veterans with pre-identified permanent housing destinations (e.g., HUD-VASH, SSVF, community options)

C

Continuum of Care- a regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals while minimizing the trauma and dislocation by homelessness. Continuums of Care promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

 

Coordinated Access- Coordinated access ensures all people, including Veterans, in a community have a defined way of accessing crisis response services such as emergency shelter or HCHV contract beds

Coordinated Entry- also known as coordinated assessment or coordinated intake, is a process designed to quickly identify, assess, refer, and connect people in crisis to housing and assistance, no matter where they show up to ask for help. Through coordinated entry, a CoC ensures that the highest need, most vulnerable households in the community are prioritized for housing and services first. Coordinated Entry can pave the way for more efficient homeless assistance systems by:

  • Click here for Coordinated Entry Fact Sheet 

COVID- an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.

Critical Time Intervention for Rapid Re Housing (CTI-RRH)- time-limited evidence-based practice that mobilizes support for vulnerable individuals during periods of transition.

D

Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)- now known as Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. See below. 

Department of Mental Health (DMH)- assures and provides access to services and support to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages; enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities.

  • Click here for DMH FAQs
  • DMH Southeast office: Address- 165 Quincy Street, Brockton, MA 02302

Phone- 508-897-2000, M-F, 9am to 5pm

TTY- 508-897-2102

Aspire for South Shore Crisis Address 460 Quincy Avenue, Quincy, MA

Crisis Line 877-382-1609, Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Diversion- an intervention designed to immediately address the needs of someone who has just lost their housing and become homeless. Diversion is a client-driven approach; its goal is to help the person or household find safe alternative housing immediately, rather than entering shelter or experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

  • Click here for Diversion Webinar

Domestic Violence- Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviors and tactics used to gain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse may be verbal, financial, emotional, sexual and/or physical and can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender.

Resources: Family Community Resources- 24-hour crisis line 508-583-6498

Health Imperatives- Address: 942 West Chestnut Street
Brockton MA 02301

        Phone: 508-583-3005

Hotline: 508-588-8255

South Shore Women’s Center-

DOVE- 24-hour hotline (617) 471-1234

Emergency Shelter Hotline- 617-471-1234

SAFELINK- 877-785-2020

            Advocacy & Counseling/ Support Groups 617-770-4065 ext. 300

            Children’s Services 617-770-4065 ext. 320

            Legal Advocacy Program 617-770-4065 ext. 400

E

Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC)- economic assistance (cash benefit) programs that help individuals and families explore opportunities, improve their finances, and reach their goals.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)- assists homeless households and households at risk of homelessness by supporting the services necessary to help them quickly regain stable housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness.

Eviction Diversion Initiative (EDI)

Source:  Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities/EOHLC

For more information about EDI, call 2-1-1 or EOHLC’s main phone line at 617-573-1100

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)-

Formerly known as DHCD, oversees funding and resources to help people in Massachusetts live affordably and safely.

The EOHLC website: http://mass.gov/CovidHousingHelp has information on key financial resources. If you are a tenant, landlord or community partner and you would like additional information, please see this link!

Resources for Renters, Homeowners, and Landlords

In English:   https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-getting-help-with-housing-costs

In Spanish:  https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-getting-help-with-housing-costs-es

Additionally, check out this 30-second video: https://youtu.be/XI1hZvdmCvI

F

Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS)- links the Section 8/ Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) tenant-based vouchers with both private and public resources.  This helps families access job training, educational services and other assistance over a five-year period

G

Grants per Diem (GPD)- VA’s largest transitional housing program for Veterans experiencing homelessness. The GPD Program has awarded grants to community-based organizations to provide transitional housing with wraparound supportive services to assist vulnerable Veterans move into permanent housing. The grants are designed to meet Veterans at various stages as they move to stable housing.

 

H

Harm Reduction- a valuable strategy for minimizing the negative consequences of substance use disorder

 

Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH)- The HEARTH Act amends and reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act with substantial changes, including:

  • A consolidation of HUD's competitive grant programs.
  • The creation of a Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program.
  • A change in HUD's definition of homelessness and chronic homelessness.
  • A simplified match requirement.
  • An increase in prevention resources.
  • An increase in emphasis on performance.

 

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)- local information technology system used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness.

 

Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP)- Helps families pay a portion of their rent in privately owned housing. This voucher is also known as Section 8.

Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs)- First step for residents to access state, local, and federal programs

Housing First- Housing First is an approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness, and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. Click here for Housing First FAQs.

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)- the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Under the HOPWA Program, HUD makes grants to local communities, States, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

Housing Resource Center (HRC)- an updated housing model that aims to transform how a region assists individuals who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness by replacing its existing overnight emergency shelter with a campus comprised of a day center, an emergency shelter, and on-site efficiency apartments. The new approach would dedicate more staff and resources to homelessness prevention, diversion, and rapid re-housing, thus reducing the overall reliance on overnight shelter and other costly emergency services.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)- The Department of Housing and Urban Development is the Federal agency responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, that improve and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws.

Human Trafficking- also known as trafficking in persons, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological

  • Click here for anti-trafficking resources

 

I

J

K

L

Low Barrier Shelter- Shelter where there are no requirements (sobriety, medication compliance, employment etc.) for entry other than being homeless

M

Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)-

  • Tenant Based/Mobile Vouchers- assigned to the Participant and is valid for any housing unit that meets the standards of the state sanitary code
  • Project Based/Non-Mobile Vouchers- assigned to a specific housing unit or development. The owner rents these units to a program eligible tenant, and Project Based tenants who move forfeit the subsidy

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act- a federal law passed in 1987. The act provides federal funding for homeless shelters across the U.S. Part of the law ensures that homeless youth can attend school by providing free transportation.

It also nullifies the need for documents traditionally required to enroll in schools, such as proof of residence or immunization records. These documents may be hard for homeless youth to obtain. Allowing students to attend without these documents eases the stress associated with enrolling for school and seeks to bolster attendance rates among homeless youth.

Monkey Pox- Monkey pox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkey pox virus. Monkey pox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkey pox symptoms are like smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkey pox is rarely fatal.

Multifamily Subsidized Housing- owned by a private landlord or corporation that has received government subsidies to provide affordable housing. This is also called a project-based subsidy because the subsidy stays with the housing development not a particular tenant

N

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)- discretionary funding awarded by U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to Grant programs that support HUD initiatives. NOFOs are published annually and describe the type of funding available on a competitive basis and provides information on submission of an application.

O

Outreach- Outreach workers connect people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to coordinated entry, emergency services, and shelter. They work with other programs in the system to connect people to stable, permanent housing.

 

P

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)- Permanent supportive housing is an intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with voluntary support services to address the needs of chronically homeless people. The services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment and employment services.

Point in Time Count (PIT Count)- a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. HUD requires that Continuums of Care conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night. Continuums of Care also must conduct a count of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness every other year (odd numbered years)

Project Based Voucher (PBV)- assigned to a specific housing unit or development. The owner rents these units to a program eligible tenant, and Project Based tenants who move forfeit the subsidy.

Public Housing- Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single-family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families.

Public Housing Authority (PHA)-

Q

 

R

Rapid Re-housing- Rapid re-housing provides short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self- sufficiency, and stay housed. It is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the needs of the person.

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)- homelessness prevention program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent, as well as future rent in limited situations.  RAFT is administered by Neighborworks Housing Solution and Metro Housing Boston. Click here to learn more about the RAFT program.

S

Shared Housing- a strategy that maximizes housing resources in a community to get people housed quickly and reduce system strain. Sharing housing is often used as a response to a lack of affordable housing, as it reduces the rent burden for all parties involved – tenants, landlords, and the homelessness system itself.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)- nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.

  • Click here for more information on SNAP benefits
  • Click here to apply for SNAP benefits

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)- Federal program of the Social Security Administration that provides monthly payments to certain eligible, low-income individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.

State Supplemental Program (SSP)- state cash benefit program for qualified Massachusetts Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants.

  • You must first apply for SSI to be eligible for SSP
  • Click here for SSP eligibility guidelines
  • Contact- (877)863-1128

State Public Housing- public housing funded by the MA Department of Housing and Community Development. There are 4 types of housing:

  1. Family Housing (Chapter 200 housing)- housing is open to people of all ages, including single people, people with disabilities, and families. The number of bedrooms in an apartment is determined by the number and gender of people in the household.
  2. Family Housing (Chapter 705, scattered site housing)- housing is open to people of all ages, including single people, people with disabilities, and families. Units are usually in smaller buildings scattered throughout a city or town. Many of these blends in with private market apartments.
  3. Housing for Seniors/people with disabilities (Chapter 667 housing)- open to households where one member of the household is at least 60 years of age or has a disability and meets certain income guidelines. Apartments are usually studios and one-bedroom units, although there are a few two-bedroom apartments.
  4. Special Needs Housing (Chapter 689 and Chapter 167 housing)- designed to provide housing with specialized services for persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or physical disabilities.

Support Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)- provides case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a Veteran's home or identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family; or to rapidly re-house Veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without this assistance.

  • VOAMASS is the SSVF provider for the South Shore region. VOAMASS operates integrated behavioral health care and veteran services focusing on transitional and permanent housing, vocational counseling and employment training, substance use and mental health treatment, and coordinated case management. VOAMASS serves more than 650 veterans and their families through the services listed to your right.

Contact Information

Phone 617- 992- 6430

Email kpalmstrom@voamass.org

T

Tenancy Prevention Program (TPP)- assists households where a family member has a disability and has a tremendous success rate in keeping vulnerable families housed through mediation with a neutral third party.

Contact Information

Brockton — 508-930-5951

Norfolk County — 774-257-0354

Plymouth County — 508-930-5667

Cape & Islands — 508-944-9233

Fall River — 508-208-5906

Taunton/Attleboro — 781-267-3594

New Bedford — 508-942-0369

TPP Management Office — 508-944-9502

 

Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)- economic assistance (cash benefit) program that helps pregnant individuals, families and caregivers explore opportunities, improve their finances, and reach their goals.

  • Click here for TAFDC FAQs and application

Trauma Informed Care- is an overarching structure and treatment attitude that emphasizes understanding, compassion, and responding to the effects of all types of traumas. Trauma Informed Care also looks at physical, psychological, and emotional safety for both clients and providers, and provides tools to empower folks on the pathway to stability.

 

U

Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)- oversees the unemployment insurance (UI) program, which provides temporary income assistance to eligible workers in Massachusetts.

 

V

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)- program is targeted to homeless disabled veterans who are Section 8 eligible and who have had severe psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders.

VASH is a collaborative program which pairs HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services for homeless Veterans. These services are designed to help homeless Veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing and access the health care, mental health treatment, substance use counseling, and other supports necessary to help them in their recovery process and with their ability to maintain housing in the community.

This collaborative program between HUD and VA combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help Veterans who are homeless, and their families find and sustain permanent housing.

Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPADAT)-

Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA)- provides protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.  VAWA protections are not only available to women but are available equally to all individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

W

X

Y

Youth Count- an initiative to help develop strategies so that communities can better count and understand their homeless youth population

Z