A communication from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (see item 7004-0100 Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting a report to divert families from emergency assistance shelters

Executive Summary

The Division of Housing Stabilization (DHS), within the Executive Office of Housing and Livable

Communities (EOHLC), provides prevention, diversion, shelter, and stabilization services to families and

individuals experiencing housing instability across the Commonwealth. DHS’ mission is to ensure that

homelessness in Massachusetts is rare, brief, and non-recurring by supporting residents through crisis

response and long-term housing stabilization strategies. DHS works to ensure everyone has a place to call

home by preventing homelessness, providing emergency shelter through the Emergency Assistance (EA)

Family Shelter program (EA shelter) when needed, and helping people maintain safe, stable housing.

This report was developed pursuant to Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025 and incorporates input from

legislative partners, service providers, advocates, families, and DHS staff. Between June and September

2025, DHS convened legislative briefings, five regional listening sessions, virtual focus groups, and