Amendment #1263, filed by Representative Vanna Howard, would significantly increase funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) in the FY26 state budget. The amendment would raise MRVP funding to $270 million — enough to maintain current rental assistance and create 800 new vouchers for households across the Commonwealth.
Right now, no new MRVP mobile vouchers are being issued due to funding constraints, and more than 168,000 households remain on the waitlist. Strengthening MRVP is essential to meeting urgent housing needs and ensuring that new affordable homes are truly within reach for the lowest-income households.
MRVP helps households avoid housing crises like eviction, exit emergency shelter, and move toward long-term stability with better access to schools, jobs, and healthcare. It offers a sustainable alternative to emergency shelter, saving thousands of dollars each month while supporting stronger futures for all.
You can find more information about the impact of Amendment #1263 in this fact sheet.
Please contact your representative and urge them to co-sponsor Amendment #1263 to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing across Massachusetts.