An Act to transform the Commonwealth’s emergency response system and create housing strategies to end the homelessness of unaccompanied adults

This bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to study future shelter needs and create a five-year plan to reduce reliance on crowded emergency shelters by building more private, permanent housing. It requires the state to analyze current shelter costs and determine how much of that space can be converted into private rooms or long-term housing units. The legislation also mandates the development of specific housing strategies for unaccompanied adults, prioritizing resources for elderly, disabled, medically complex, and LGBTQ+ individuals through methods like vouchers and alternative construction models.