Supportive Housing

What is it?

Supportive Housing pairs affordable housing that is safe, secure, and permanent, and supportive services that are flexible, person centered and voluntary to increase housing stability and improve wellbeing. Learn more

What is the Need? A snapshot of Homeless System Data (Nov 2023)

  • 2,390 people (2,090 households) experiencing Chronic homelessness (long-term homelessness + disabling condition)​

  • 3,420 people (2,870 households) experiencing High Acuity homelessness ​

  • At Least 4,960 Households in need of Supportive Housing​

A 2020 study from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation found decreases in emergency and acute health service utilization and decreased Medicaid costs after individuals had been placed into supportive housing in Massachusetts.

  • Individuals enrolled in supportive housing programs had significantly lower total per-person per-year health care costs, on average, than a similar group of chronically homeless individuals ($25,614 vs. $30,881, on average).

  • Individuals enrolled in supportive housing programs received significantly more mental health services than a similar group of chronically homeless individuals.

  • The study suggests that the preventive effect of supportive housing may lead to a reduction in overall health care utilization and costs.

Massachusetts Must Expand Affordable and Supportive Housing Options for its Residents

State leaders agree that Massachusetts has a shortage of about 200,000 housing units. State development efforts must include below market, deeply affordable, subsidized, public, and supportive housing units, to respond to the needs of MA residents. As part of the 200,000 units, 10,000 SH units will be created by 2030 with 4,000 supportive housing opportunities available by 2027

  • The state housing wage in MA is $41.64 per hour to afford a two-bedroom rental at Fair Market Rent (FMR). Ranked 3rd highest in the nation.

  • 31% (or 312, 607) of renter households in MA are extremely low income (ELI)

  • 64% of ELI renter households are severely cost burdened (spending more than half of their income on housing).

  • 50% of Housing Choice Voucher holders are not securing leases within 6 months.

Definitions

  • Supportive Housing pairs affordable housing that is safe, secure, and permanent, and supportive services that are flexible, person centered and voluntary to increase housing stability and improve wellbeing.

  • “Chronic and high need” is intended to encompass individuals, families, and young adults who are experiencing chronic and/or long-term or episodic homelessness and have disabling condition such as mental illness, substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, and/or other comorbid chronic health conditions.

  • Housing is considered affordable if tenants or homeowners pay no more than 30% of their gross income on housing costs.

  • When stakeholders refer to “Affordable Housing,” this is specifically to mean “below market” or “subsidized” housing, which can include: “Middle Income” (80-100% of Area Median Income) or “Deeply Affordable” at 0-60% of Area Median Income. Other strategies to make housing affordable include voucher and rental assistance programs as well as Master Leasing