On Monday, June 24, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its Housing Bond Bill. In analyzing the proposal, it is clear that the legislation signals an intent to go big on investment in infrastructure and housing production in every community across Massachusetts. The bill puts forward a significant increase in bond authorization for HousingWorks, funds infrastructure in MBTA Communities municipalities, creates housing production programs for rural, seasonal, and suburban communities, and doubles the funding authorization for the CommonWealth Builder program. This legislation also matches the funding increase for public housing passed by the House earlier this month.
Additionally, the Senate Ways and Means bill recognizes the importance of policy initiatives in addition to funding authorizations to address the housing challenges facing our state. This legislation includes the creation of an Office of Fair Housing and a Fair Housing Trust Fund, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right, a Supportive Housing Pool Fund, homeownership production tax credit, inclusionary zoning by simple majority, abutter appeal reform, eviction records sealing, commissions on senior housing, extremely low income housing, and housing shortages, and eviction records sealing.
By any measure, this is a remarkable and historic piece of legislation.
Still, there are notable policy opportunities that were not part of this proposal, including the local option real estate transfer fee, the historic rehab tax credit, commissions on Racial Equity in Housing and on Disability and Accessibility, and codification of the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) in statute.
The next few days will be extremely busy: amendments must be filed by 5pm on Tuesday, June 25 and the full Senate is expected to debate the bill on Thursday, June 26. Now is the time to weigh in with senators on priorities. CHAPA will release analysis of amendments as soon as the full list is made available.
Senate Bond Bill Week is fully underway!