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

HD 5258 is a procedural bill transmitting a report from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities about diverting families from emergency assistance shelters. The report details the HomeBASE program, which provides financial assistance to families to avoid emergency shelter use and transition to permanent housing, referencing a $1,182 weekly average cost for emergency shelter per family. It includes data on diversion outcomes, such as 409 of 454 families exiting the program to permanent housing, and aligns with similar diversion strategies used in other states.