Today, the Massachusetts Senate will begin debate on its economic development bill, S.3178. This legislation includes policies that will help create the homes Massachusetts needs to thrive and is one of the last major bills expected to pass before the legislative session ends this month. This is one of the best remaining opportunities to advance significant housing policy this year!
Creating new homes and preserving the affordable housing opportunities we already have are both crucial to the state’s economic development. High housing costs drive talent out of Massachusetts and make it harder for employers to fill jobs and remain competitive. Spending most of a household’s income on increasing housing costs also means impossible decisions for people—often between food, medical care, other necessities, and rent—and less choice in where they want to live.
The bill already includes major housing wins, including:
- Allowing duplexes as-of-right in all residentially-zoned areas;
- Codifying site plan review to make the process predictable, timely, and clear; and
- Incentivizing local communities to convert under-utilized commercial properties for residential use.
CHAPA is also advocating for several additional amendments to be included in the final bill:
#72 – Matched Savings (Sen. Eldridge)
Creates a Matched Savings Program for people with low incomes to save with up to a 4:1 match. Savings can be used for the down payment on a home, starting a small business, education, and other allowable financial goals.
#135 – Parking Reform (Sen. Cronin)
Encourages more homes near transit, lowers construction costs, and makes it possible to create the homes we need by eliminating parking requirements within ½ mile of public transit and capping parking minimums at 1 space per unit everywhere else.
#257 & #302 – Expanding and Improving RAFT (Sen. Tarr & Sen. Crighton)
Improves RAFT by eliminating the requirement for a notice to quit or utility shutoff, allowing for more upstream access to benefits.
#326 – Expedited Lot Subdivision (Sen. Crighton)
Makes it easier to build homes on smaller lots by allowing property owners to subdivide their land into parcels no larger than 10,000 square feet.
#458 – Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (Sen. Lovely)
Codifies MRVP in statute, providing stability and predictability for the operation of the vitally important state rental assistance program.
Contact your state senator TODAY and ask them to support CHAPA’s priority housing amendments!
Thank you!