The bill proposes significant reforms to the Emergency Assistance (EA) program in Massachusetts, aiming to enhance its efficiency and sustainability. Key changes include prioritizing families based on their needs, creating two support tracks—Rapid Shelter Track and Bridge Shelter Track—and reducing the maximum stay in the Bridge Shelter Track from nine months to six months. Additionally, the bill seeks to eliminate the use of hotels and motels for emergency shelter by the end of the specified period, as recommended by the Special Commission on Emergency Assistance. These reforms are intended to expedite transitions to permanent housing for families and improve caseload management.

Financially, the bill calls for additional one-time funding through the Transitional Escrow Fund (TEF) to address fiscal gaps in FY25, while also emphasizing the necessity for ongoing federal support. It outlines expenditures related to shelter services, municipal reimbursements, and educational supports for homeless students. The proposed appropriations align with the Fiscal Year 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and include reserve funding for FY26 to ensure a smooth transition. Furthermore, the bill introduces new legal language requiring detailed data on the number of families in shelters and the costs incurred by school districts for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, promoting transparency and accountability in resource allocation.