(BOSTON 11/12/2021) After debating more than 700 amendments, the Massachusetts State Senate passed its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending bill late Wednesday night. Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield) filed nearly 30 amendments of his own, 23 of which were adopted. By the end of the debate, Senator Velis had secured $2,000,000 for the expansion of the Treehouse Foundation, $500,000 for Veterans’ Treatment Courts, and $1,000,000 for municipalities and community organizations throughout the Second Hampden and Hampshire District.
Founded in 2002, the Treehouse Foundation creates affordable housing and provides wraparound community supports for families adopting children from foster care, for transition age youth, and for low-income older adults. Treehouse Easthampton, their first intergenerational community, is home to approximately 125 community members, ranging in age from newborn to 93 years. The funding secured by Senator Velis would allow the Treehouse Foundation to establish two additional outcome-based, multi-cultural Treehouse communities in Massachusetts.
“As we all know, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt the hardest by our most vulnerable populations. This is especially true for foster children, working families, and senior citizens,” said Senator Velis, who is Vice-Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “The Treehouse foundation has been a constant support for these groups before and throughout the pandemic and we must continue to invest in these innovative affordable housing and family-oriented living programs that benefit our communities as a whole.”
While the national high school graduation average for foster youth is 58%, Treehouse youth have a 95% high school graduation rate and a 100% rate of attending college or vocational training. Senator Velis noted from his visits to Treehouse Easthampton that the program also allows working parents, especially women and people of color, to engage in the workforce because they have dependable childcare. Similarly, Treehouse older adults benefit from these affordable community housing options, reporting higher overall health and quality of life.
In addition to his amendments for the Treehouse Foundation and Veterans Treatment Courts, Senator Velis secured $1,000,000 in earmarks for 20 different local community priorities and projects in his district. This includes funding for chambers of commerce, senior centers, food pantries, college workforce development programs, and infrastructure improvements throughout the 11 communities he represents.
“These one-time federal funds are going to be absolutely critical for our Commonwealth and I am proud that I was able to secure funding to support these important organizations across our district,” said Senator Velis. “It is my job as Senator to ensure my communities are getting their fair share of this money and I am glad that my team and I could get these amendments across the finish line.”
The Senate and House of Representatives will now meet in conference committee to reconcile their differences in ARPA spending bills.
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