An Act relative to housing service coordinators

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kevin Honan

Establishes a state-funded housing service coordinators program (subject to annual appropriation) to help subsidized tenants access services, reduce evictions, and boost stability.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

Overview

H.1519, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Kevin G. Honan, would create and fund a state program of housing service coordinators to assist residents of privately owned state and federally assisted housing. The bill aims to reduce evictions, promote housing stability, and connect residents with education, job training, and other services to boost economic self-sufficiency. The measure is reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further action.

Key Provisions

Establishment of a housing service coordinators program (subject to appropriation) under the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

DHCD duties:

Train and certify eligible agencies to provide housing service coordinators.
Develop standard outcome measures to assess coordinator work.

Eviction protections and coordination:

Property owners participating in the program may not file a summary process eviction for subsidized tenants unless the owner certifies, on a DHCD-approved form, that the tenant was given the opportunity to meet with a housing service coordinator at least 30 days before filing, except where eviction is due to an immediate health or safety threat.

Reporting and oversight:

DHCD must report quarterly to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means and the Joint Committee on Housing regarding: the number of housing service coordinators, locations of housing developments with coordinators, and the number of evictions prevented by coordinator intervention.

Regulatory authority:

DHCD may promulgate regulations and guidelines to implement the section.

Affected Parties

Residents of privately owned state and federally assisted housing who participate in the program.

Subsidized tenants within participating developments.

Property owners who choose to participate and support the program.

Agencies eligible to provide housing service coordinators (and the coordinators themselves).

DHCD, which would administer training, certification, measurement, reporting, and regulations.

Implementation and Timeline

Funding: The program is expressly “subject to appropriation,” meaning implementation depends on annual budget allocations.

Regulatory framework: DHCD may issue regulations and guidelines to implement the program.

Evaluation: Quarterly reporting to key legislative committees on coordinator activity and eviction prevention outcomes.

Status and actions: As of the latest actions, the bill was reported favorably by committee and referred to Ways and Means; hearings and potential further action are listed in the legislative schedule.

Impact Considerations

Potential reduction in evictions and increased housing stability for residents of subsidized housing.

Enhanced access to education, training, and services that support economic self-sufficiency.

Increased regulatory and administrative requirements for DHCD, participating agencies, and property owners.

Bill