On July 28th, Children’s HealthWatch submitted a written testimony to strongly support Massachusetts Bill H.4878/S.2831: “An Act to guarantee housing stability during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery”. This unprecedented crisis requires strong action to protect residents, safeguard the health and well-being of families with children, and set the stage for a strong and equitable economic recovery. While the extension of the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures to October 17th was a good first step to address these concerns, it does not go far enough to protect our residents and communities across the Commonwealth. H.4878/S.2831 responds to the longer-term need, while simultaneously addressing landlord concerns through stabilizing provisions, such as the establishment of a COVID-19 Housing Stability and Recovery Fund to assist property owners who lost rental income or missed mortgage payments due to COVID-19.

This bill – which protects tenants, homeowners, and landlords – is necessary to prevent eviction, homelessness, and further hardship among families in our communities that already struggle to make ends meet. Supporting the health and development of children and families across our Commonwealth is essential to our state’s current and future prosperity and well-being. Moreover, we believe there is an urgent need to respond to the immediate threat of COVID-19 among low-income families, and strongly urge you to swiftly and favorably report H.4878/S.2831 out of committee.