MA H216

Expands eligibility for emergency housing assistance from "needy families" to families with children and pregnant women who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness, including those with immediate need who would otherwise have to spend a night in places like cars, parks, or abandoned buildings

Requires same-day shelter placement for families declaring immediate need, with written denial notices required the same day if the family is deemed ineligible

Establishes 90-day advance notice requirement before the executive office can change eligibility rules or benefit levels, with mandatory reporting to legislative committees justifying any changes

Creates an ombudsperson unit within the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to advocate for applicants and participants, mediate disputes, and submit annual reports by February 1st including data on requests, resolutions, and demographics

Prohibits denials based solely on need for verification or family assets, grants families at least 30 days to provide documentation, and changes minimum shelter stay from "not more than 9 months" to "not less than 9 months"