Governor Files FY2022 Supplemental Budget with Funding for RAFT & Extension of Chap. 257 Eviction Protections

Governor Baker filed a supplemental budget bill on February 18th, that seeks to spend $2.4 billion to keep COVID-19 response efforts going and make investments in areas like housing, human services, childcare, and others. The bill proposes $2.4 billion in spending with $1.6 billion allocated from the surplus revenues in FY2022, with the rest allocated from federal funds and reimbursements.  

The proposal includes $60 million to maintain access to the Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program as the federal funds to the RAFT and Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) are depleting.

The proposal also includes an extension to certain COVID-19 state of emergency provisions, including the eviction protection provision that is currently set to expire on April 1. The Supplemental budget bill would extend the provisions to Jan. 1, 2023.

Governor Baker's Supplemental Budget also includes $2.8 million in assistance for homeless individuals and $5 million for the Department of Mental health (DMH) housing repairs and additional DMH housing vouchers. 

The Legislature is expected to take up the supplemental budget this spring.

CHAPA thanks the Governor for including these critical resources in his supplemental budget. We look forward to working with the House and Senate to pass the budget with these programs included.

Read the Governor's press release from the budget filing announcement.