State funding for emergency homeless shelters in Massachusetts covers less than half the cost of providing services, according to the findings of an advocacy group.
The results of a survey done by the Coalition of Homeless Individuals, a group of homeless services providers, is being shared with Massachusetts legislators as they work on the annual state budget.
Bill Miller, executive director of Friends of the Homeless in Springfield, said the survey underscores how shelter operators devote significant time to private fund-raising to make ends meet.
" I think there is an expectation that services are really better than what is here and people are often surprised at how crowded things are," said Miller.
The coalition is asking for a $50 million dollar appropriation in the House and Senate budgets for assistance for homeless individuals. Governor Charlie Baker has recommended $44 million for the budget line item.
