Rev. Fran Bogle, Chair

MACUCC – Task Force to End Homelessness

Dec. 18, 2007

Governor Urged to Give Cost of Living Increase to Emergency Program For Low-Income, Severely Disabled and Elders

In light of the MACUCC Resolution to End Homelessness (2002), Rev. Peter Wells – Associate Conference Minister of the Commission for Mission and Justice Ministries, Rev. Fran Bogle, Chair of the Task Force to End Homelessness, Len Dalton, Task Force member from Plymouth Church UCC Framingham and President of MetroWest Outreach Connection and Rev. Elizabeth Magill – Pastor of Worcester Fellowship, signed onto an organizational letter initiated by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless addressed to Governor Patrick.  The letter, signed by 57 other agencies and faith community leaders, requests that he reconstitute the critical safety net program for severely disabled people and the elderly called Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children’s (EAEDC) Program in his formulation of the FY ’09 Budget:

“Specifically we are asking you to provide a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in the monthly grant provided to EAEDC recipients.  The EAEDC grant of $304/month has not been increased since 1988 and is $547/month BELOW the Federal Poverty Line for a family of one.  … The inadequacy of the grant leaves many of these individuals in unstable housing and homeless situations and leads to continued deterioration of their physical and mental health.”

The letter goes on to ask the Governor to redirect the $14-15 million it annually receives from the federal government as reimbursements for all the EAEDC recipients who successfully convert to the SSI (Supplemental Security Income), towards this COLA.  $15 million redirected to this cost of living increase would give most households depending on their living situation about $82 increase in their monthly income.  Currently, there are 17,044 very low-income, severely disabled, and seniors who are receiving this benefit across the state, while they apply for SSI which could take as long as four years.

When research was done on the numbers of EAEDC recipients in a town or city where there is a United Church of Christ congregation, it was found that there were 15,754 recipients!  Here are the totals by Areas and Associations:  Central Area – 2245, Metropolitan Boston Area - 5124, Northeast Area – 2236 which includes the: Andover Association – 1136 and Essex Association – 1100; Southeast Area – 3725 which includes the: Barnstable Association – 164, Old Colony Association – 1996, and Pilgrim Association – 1565; Western Area – 2424 which includes the:  Berkshire Association – 192, Franklin Association - 147, Hampden Association – 1941, and Hampshire Association – 144. 

“These elderly and disabled people, who are our neighbors, have very low incomes; they are the ones who most likely frequent our soup kitchens and food pantries or call the Pastor to see if there are any discretionary funds to assist them in making ends meet.  How many of us could live on $304 a month?” exclaimed Rev. Fran Bogle, Chair of the Task Force to End Homelessness.  “For many, this benefit is their sole source of income. I believe that the Commonwealth has a moral obligation to substantially increase this safety-net with a cost of living increase for our neediest citizens,” Rev. Peter Wells, Associate Conference Minister, added.

The Task Force to End Homelessness strongly urges members and friends in our UCC congregations to send postcards or write letters to the Governor this month, as he puts together his FY’09 Budget for Massachusetts to be released on January 23rd.  Sample postcards that can be photocopied and distributed, are attached. Churches are also encouraged to endorse this campaign. An endorsement form is also attached. For more information, the Task Force to End Homelessness asks you to contact: Sr. Linda Bessom SND, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, 15 Bubier St., Lynn, MA 01901-1704, 781-595-7570 x 18 or e-mail her at linda@mahomeless.org.