The state of Massachusetts is launching a new pilot program to address homelessness among young adults and college students.
The new Massachusetts Student Housing Security Pilot project, announced by Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito on Thursday, will provide dorm rooms to homeless students attending particular community colleges.
More than 1,800 youths experience homelessness every year in the state of Massachusetts. Furthermore, among these unaccompanied homeless youths, students enrolled in Massachusetts colleges and universities are receiving unique interest and growing concern.
“Our Administration has taken a targeted approach to addressing homelessness across the Commonwealth over the last several years, and this pilot program serves as another important tool,” Governor Baker said.
“We look forward to working with our community colleges and state universities to implement this program to give students a stable place to live so they can thrive academically and have access to the necessary supports in their own communities that will help them continue their path to self-sufficiency.”
Framingham State University, along with three other public universities, will partner with local community colleges to provide dorm rooms to students facing housing insecurity. Campuses will be reimbursed by the state for the cost of dorm bed occupancy for an 18-month period, while the individual institutions will cover meals and snacks for these students.
“College life is challenging enough without having to worry about how you will pay for your next meal or where you are going to sleep at night,” Framingham State University president F. Javier Cevallos said.
“The new housing security pilot is designed to eliminate this burden for our most vulnerable students so they can focus on earning their degree, which is the key to a financially-secure future.”
Students who are 25 or younger and enrolled full-time in a public college or university participating in the pilot project are eligible to partake in the project.
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