"We are shifting the policy goal to ending homelessness," said Rushing, D-Boston.

Todays story in the Boston Herald illustrates one way the administration and the legislature can work together to repair and reform the existing public structures that address homelessness. Kudos to the Mass Housing and Shelter Alliance who has been working hard for years to develop and pilot the model and educate policy makers about its effectiveness.

Money quotes from Rep Rushing

Supporters defend the extra spending in a tight fiscal year, saying for a relatively small amount of money the state can transform the way it provides help to the homeless.

"We are shifting the policy goal to ending homelessness," said Rushing, D-Boston.

The state already spends $120-$160 million on shelter programs. Getting people out of shelters and into homes will cost about the same amount of money, according to Rushing, who said the $10 million is needed to help make the shift.

And from Linda Downie from Pine Street

Downie said the money would be well spent — and could end up saving the state more expenses in the future."If you don’t start investing in a better system, you are just going to spend more of this money in the emergency rooms," she said.