Ask your State Representative to Strengthen Affordable Housing & Homelessness Prevention Programs in the FY23 Budget

by | Apr 26, 2022 | Housing News

On April 13th, the Massachusetts House Ways & Means Committee released its FY2023 budget proposal with strong investments in affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development programs. We are working to further strengthen these programs that will help everyone in the Commonwealth have a safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home!

Please call or email your State Representative today and ask them to sign on and support the amendments below for affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development programs!

You can use the following script in your message to your State Representative:
Hello, I am [NAME] and I am from [CITY or TOWN] in the Representative’s district. Programs that support affordable housing and homelessness prevention are important to me.  I am requesting that the Representative sign on to the following amendments. [LIST THE AMENDMENTS BELOW]. Thank you very much.
As always, thank you for your advocacy and for your support of CHAPA’s priorities. If you have any questions, please contact Abhi Kurve, CHAPA’s Policy Associate, at 617-910-7953.

Please visit CHAPA’s website for more materials on CHAPA’s priorities in the state budget.
Contact Your State Rep
#881 – Mass. Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
Sponsored by Rep. Madaro
Makes program changes to MRVP to lower tenant rent share up to 30-40%, include utilities in tenant payment, and move to a payment standard for calculating rent.

#1437 – MassAccess
Sponsored by Rep. Rogers
Increases funding from $80,000 to $150,000 to help modernize the online housing search for affordable and accessible homes.

#489 – Affordable Accessible Housing Grants
Sponsored by Rep. Decker
Allocates $2.5 million for the capital grants for the production of affordable accessible housing that prioritizes AHVP voucher holders while increasing the stock of accessible housing.

#1371 – RAFT Improvements
Sponsored by Rep. Decker
Increases the eligibility to households with 60% AMI from the current 50% AMI threshold, reduces documentation requirements for receiving utility-related benefits, and allows forward rent payments and stipends for eligible households.

#177 – Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs)
Sponsored by Rep. LeBoeuf
Ensures parity in resources for agencies across Central Massachusetts and Lynn to assist households impacted by COVID-19.

#399 – Improvements to HomeBASE
Sponsored by Rep. Barber
Increases HomeBASE benefit to $15,000 for every 12-month period, allows benefit of $30,000 up to 24 months, and removes the income increases as terms for ineligibility.

#494 – Housing and Services for Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Sponsored by Rep. O’Day
Increases the allocation from $8.5 million to $10 million.

#920 – Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fees
Sponsored by Rep. Nguyen
Reduces CPA recording fees on affordable mortgages.

#1105 – Community Preservation Act (CPA) Trust Fund
Sponsored by Rep. Domb
Allocates $10 million to the state CPA Trust Fund.