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HD 6191

An Act relative to veterans’ housing stability

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tara Hong

Provides up to 24 months of rental assistance and support services to veterans at risk of homelessness, with expedited housing access and funding through a dedicated bridge program

Reported, referred to the committee on Joint Rules, reported, rules suspended and referred to the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 6191

Purpose and scope

  • Bill: HD 6191, introduced in the 194th Massachusetts General Court.
  • Title: An Act relative to veterans’ housing stability.
  • Intent: Establish a dedicated Veteran Rental Assistance Bridge Program to prevent homelessness and housing instability among veterans by providing temporary rental support, streamlined access to housing assistance, and related services. The program is administered by local housing authorities in coordination with veterans’ services and other stakeholders.

Key provisions and changes

Creation of the Veteran Rental Assistance Bridge Program (Section 35A)

  • Establishment and administration
    • Creates the veteran rental assistance bridge program within Chapter 23B.
    • Administration: local housing authorities in the city/town, in consultation with the local veteran service officer; oversight coordination with the secretary of housing and livable communities and the secretary of veterans’ services.
  • Eligibility
    • Veterans approved for a federal veteran housing voucher but waiting for issuance/lease-up.
    • Veterans at imminent risk of eviction.
    • Veterans experiencing sudden income loss.
    • Veterans transitioning from homelessness or institutional settings.
  • Target population and income limits
    • Households with income not more than 30% of area median income (AMI) who are homeless and moving into subsidized/private housing or at risk of becoming homeless; or up to 50% of AMI with similar risk or transition needs due to income/expense changes.
  • Assistance provided
    • Up to 24 months of temporary rental assistance.
    • Security deposit for a rental property.
    • First and last month’s rent coverage.
    • Flexible rental supports to prevent eviction.
  • Process and coordination
    • Rapid, prioritized processing for at-risk veterans (designation as at risk of homelessness).
    • Expedited rental assistance review; mandatory mediation before eviction when possible; rapid referral to stabilization services.
  • Partnerships and services
    • Priority funding for qualified nonprofit organizations contracted to provide veteran-supportive housing (increasing capacity for supportive housing units, case management, mental health support, employment services, and substance-use recovery support), with emphasis on gateway cities and regions with high veteran housing instability.
  • Reporting requirements
    • Annual cost and outcome reports, including comparison of homelessness prevention costs vs. emergency shelter, hospital stays, and long-term instability.
    • Reports to cover: current veteran homelessness status, wait times for federal voucher activation, and cost savings from prevention.
    • Reports due by December 31 each year to the Governor, Lt. Governor, chairs of relevant committees, and clerks.

Creation of the Veteran Rental Assistance Bridge Program Fund (Section 35B)

  • Fund structure
    • Establishes the Veteran Rental Assistance Bridge Program Fund within the EOHHLC.
    • Funding sources: appropriations designated for the fund, interest, and public/private gifts, grants, and donations to support veterans’ housing partnerships.
    • Fund design: amounts credited are not re-appropriated; unspent funds do not revert to the General Fund.
  • Administration and reporting
    • The Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities administers the fund consistent with the program.
    • Annual expenditures report due by June 30 to the chairs of housing and veterans committees, Ways and Means, and clerks of the House and Senate.

Who/what is affected

  • Veterans in Massachusetts who are at risk of homelessness, waiting for federal veteran housing vouchers, or facing eviction or income shocks.
  • Local housing authorities and local veteran service officers (coordination role).
  • Nonprofit organizations contracted to provide veteran-supportive housing, case management, mental health, employment, and substance-use recovery services.
  • State agencies: Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities; Secretary of Veterans’ Services; Housing Court Department (for coordination and mediation in eviction contexts).
  • Communities with gateway cities and regions experiencing higher veteran housing instability.
  • General public through potential reductions in homelessness, emergency shelter reliance, hospital stays, and long-term instability costs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Implementation timeline is not explicitly stated in the text provided; the bill outlines ongoing program administration, annual reporting, and fund-management requirements.
  • Annual reporting deadline: by December 31 of each year for program costs and outcomes.
  • Fund reporting: annual expenditures report due by June 30 each year.

Overall impact

  • Aimed at reducing veteran homelessness and housing instability by providing up to 24 months of rental assistance, support services, and expedited pathways to secure and sustain housing.
  • Seeks to prevent eviction through mediation, rapid assistance, and linkages to stabilization services.
  • Establishes a dedicated funding stream to sustain these efforts and to measure effectiveness and cost-savings over time.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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