Fair Housing Is Mental Health Justice: MAMH’s Commitment to Housing Security This April and Beyond

Every April, National Fair Housing Month celebrates the landmark Fair Housing Act of 1968—a pivotal civil rights law that protects individuals and families from housing discrimination. But fair housing is more than a legal standard. This month is an important reminder that the promise of fair and equitable housing is still a work in progress—and one that is deeply connected to MAMH’s mission to advance mental health and wellbeing across the Commonwealth.

A serious shortage of affordable housing in the Commonwealth has contributed significantly to the rapid increase in homelessness since the COVID pandemic. According to HUD’s annual point-in-time study of homeless individuals, 19,131 individuals in Massachusetts experienced homelessness in 2023, an increase of more than 23% over the previous year and the 5th highest increase in the country. Among these individuals, 15 percent have a serious mental health condition such as schizophrenia or major depression, while the vast majority of other homeless individuals report other mental health needs (MAMH, People are Still Waiting, May 2024).

Housing stability is a core part of supporting a person’s mental health and wellbeing. MAMH’s housing advocacy, education, and coalition-building all work toward making housing affordable and accessible for all. We work across both the mental health and housing sectors to ensure that policies and resources are in place to help people with behavioral health conditions find and maintain housing.

• Rental Subsidy Program: Through continued advocacy, MAMH has helped secure millions of dollars in funding for the Rental Subsidy Program (RSP) within the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) budget, which provides essential rental assistance to individuals with mental health conditions who are experiencing homelessness, offering immediate housing solutions that allow individuals to stabilize and connect with necessary services.

• Safe Haven Expansion: MAMH has championed the growth of Safe Haven programs, offering low-barrier, trauma-informed housing options for individuals who are chronically homeless and facing serious mental health or substance use conditions. These programs create a non-threatening environment where people can stabilize, access services, and begin a path to recovery.

• Hoarding Support and Prevention: Through the Massachusetts Hoarding Resource Network, MAMH provides advocacy, education, and technical assistance to address hoarding-related housing insecurity—especially among older adults—and prevent homelessness before it starts.

• Leadership in Coalition Building: MAMH’s Kate Alicante co-leads the State Mental Health Planning Council’s Housing Subcommittee, a diverse coalition of nearly 70 stakeholders. The Subcommittee plays a critical role in identifying gaps and solutions in supportive housing, informing state policies, and advancing initiatives like the DMH Rental Subsidy and Safe Haven programs.

• Evidence drives change: MAMH produces data-informed reports that examine the barriers individuals with mental health conditions face in securing housing. Our “People Are Waiting” reports offer actionable strategies for closing the housing gap and ensuring that the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents aren’t left behind.

MAMH’s comprehensive housing advocacy isn’t just about shelter—it’s about dignity, wellness, and opportunity. By working across the mental health and housing sectors, we ensure that policies, programs, and resources align to support long-term stability for people with behavioral health conditions.

This Fair Housing Month, we reaffirm our commitment: housing is a human right, and positive mental health and wellbeing cannot happen without it. Together, we can build a future where no one is left waiting.