News  A federal grant helps extend sober housing for probationers

A $483,840 grant from the Office of Justice Programs Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding will help extend sober housing for probationers through "most of 2020," according to Michael Coelho, Deputy Commissioner-Programs. The sober housing was scheduled to expire at the end of August. However, the grant secured by the Massachusetts Parole Board, will open up approximately 360 beds for probationers and individuals leaving prison or other facilities and are re-entering society.

Housing is critical for individuals returning to the community during COVID-19, as emergency housing is limited due to coronavirus concerns, Deputy Coelho said. This housing will help probationers, parolees, and those discharging from Houses of Correction and from the Department of Correction.

There are currently 84 sober houses participating in this initiative. The sober beds are made available to individuals for an eight-week (56 day) stay, according to Deputy Coelho. 

“The Massachusetts Parole Board was successful in securing a federal grant to continue this program, and it will be run in partnership with the Massachusetts Probation Service, and the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH),” he said. "We would like to thank Gloriann Moroney, Chair of the Parole Board, Kevin Keefe, Executive Director of the Parole Board, and Larissa Matzek of the Massachusetts Alliance of Sober Housing for their leadership on this initiative and for their spirit of collaboration and cooperation during this challenging time."