Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick approved a new budget that funds LGBTQ homeless programs & services for youth. Included in the budget for fiscal year 2015 is $150,000 for the Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Commission which conducts studies of the barriers to service for homeless youth under the age of 18 & young adults between 18 & 22; nearly 40 percent of whom identify as LGBTQ. The budget also includes $300,000 for the LGBT Youth Commission an independent body that investigates how public & private resources support LGBTQ youth across the Commonwealth. The budget is also funding for the Home & Healthy for Good LGBTQ pilot program run by the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance. The $200,000 allotment will help the MHSA provide housing & support services for homeless LGBTQ youth. More than just a housing placement program the initiative will provide assistance to clients in their transition from homelessness into a stable living situation. Kara Coredini, Executive Director of MassEquality stated, “MassEquality applauds the Governor & the Legislature for once again holding LGBTQ issues as a top priority in our Commonwealth. The state's support for these vital programs is central to addressing the serious issues of homelessness & the provision of comprehensive services for LGBTQ youth. We are grateful to the champions of LGBTQ equality in the House & Senate who generated, pushed for & voted in favor of these key items in the budget. Their leadership will improve lives.”
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