CHAPA Statement on Passage of the Affordable Homes Act

by | Aug 1, 2024 | Housing News

CHAPA applauds the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Senate for the passage of the Affordable Homes Act. This historic legislation will provide $5.1 billion in capital funding authorization and a wide range of housing policies to support the creation and preservation of tens of thousands of homes. CHAPA is proud to have worked closely with the Legislature to advocate for policies that put Massachusetts on the path to adding the 200,000 homes across income levels that people, our communities, and our economy need to thrive.
The Affordable Homes Act includes significant increases in funding authorizations to meet the range of the Commonwealth’s housing challenges. The bill includes $2.2 billion in bond authorization for state public housing, a doubling of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund ($800 million) and the Housing Innovations Fund ($200 million), and a nearly tripling of the Housing Stabilization Fund ($425 million) which included $10 million for the Small Properties Acquisition Fund. The legislation also included investments in programs that had not before been included in a bond bill, including $100 million for the CommonWealth Builder Program, $50 million for the Momentum Fund to accelerate the completion of mixed-income multifamily housing, $275 million for Green Housing, and $175 million for Housing Choice Infrastructure.

Beyond the funding authorizations, the bill creates and expands tax credit programs that will help spur much-needed production. The Affordable Homes Act creates a new $10 million annual Homeownership Production Tax Credit, a vitally important tool to help create opportunities for first-time home buyers to become owners, and increases the Community Investment Tax Credit to $15 million.  Additionally, the legislation doubles the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit to $110 million annually through the year 2030 to help preserve historic buildings and put them to new use, including creating affordable housing.

Finally, the Affordable Homes Act recognizes that funding authorizations and tax credits alone are not enough to address the housing challenges facing Massachusetts. The bill includes policies such as the creation of an Office of Fair Housing and Fair Housing Trust Fund, mandating the establishment of a statewide housing plan, allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right in single-family zoned districts, establishing special commissions on Extremely Low Income Housing, Senior Housing, and Accessible Housing for persons living with disabilities, creating a supportive housing pool fund to address the needs of households experiencing homelessness, establishing eviction records sealing, and authorizing a social housing pilot. These policies will help move us closer to a Commonwealth where people can have safe, healthy, affordable homes in the communities they choose.

The final bill is also notable for what it did not include. Attempts to weaken, undermine, or delay existing housing laws or to place unnecessary barriers to housing productions were resoundingly rejected at all turns. The legislation that passed does not include harmful changes to Chapter 40B, the MBTA Communities Law, or to the Community Preservation Act (CPA). CHAPA is grateful that not only does this bill move us forward in our housing policy, it also does not set us back by weakening the progress we had already made.

CHAPA applauds the commitment shown by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Governor to take the steps necessary to meet the moment. While the Affordable Homes Act is a remarkable and historic piece of legislation, it will not be a panacea for all of the housing challenges facing Massachusetts. CHAPA looks forward to working closely with the Legislature, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and all stakeholders to implement this bill and to continue to find paths toward creating the homes we need.

CHAPA extends its profound gratitude to Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, Secretary Augustus, Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Chair Michlewitz, Chair Rodrigues, Chair Arciero, Chair Edwards, Senate President Pro Tempore Brownsberger, and all of the policy makers and their staff who made this bill a reality. In Massachusetts, we are fortunate to have leaders who recognize the scope of the housing challenges we face and the commitment to do what is necessary to move us forward. CHAPA looks forward to continuing to be a productive partner in this work over the months and years to come.

Legislature Poised To Pass Bond Bill

by | Jul 29, 2024 | Housing News

This morning, the Housing Bond Bill Conference Committee released the final version of the Affordable Homes Act, which includes $5.1 billion in bond authorization to support housing production.  The House of Representatives and Senate are expected to vote on the legislation later today.

 

Below is a grid detailing the funding authorizations by program:

 

Line Item Program 2018 Bond Bill Gov Proposal House Final   Senate Final Conference Committee
1599-1953 Local Designated Projects $196,986,900 $228,770,000 $425,756,900
1599-3032 MWRA Infrastructure $1,000,000,000
3000-0411 Early Education & Out of School Time $45,000,000 $50,000,000 $50,000,000 $50,000,000 $50,000,000
7004-0069 Home Modification Loan Program $60,000,000 $60,000,000 $60,000,000 $60,000,000 $60,000,000
7004-0070 Facilities Consolidation Fund $65,000,000 $70,000,000 $70,000,000 $70,000,000 $70,000,000
7004-0071 Community Based Housing $55,000,000 $55,000,000 $55,000,000 $55,000,000 $55,000,000
7004-0072 Affordable Housing Trust Fund $400,000,000 $800,000,000 $800,000,000 $800,000,000 $800,000,000
7004-0073 Housing Stabilization Fund $150,000,000 $425,000,000 $425,000,000 $425,000,000 $425,000,000
7004-0074 Public Housing $600,000,000 $1,500,000,000 $2,000,000,000 $2,000,000,000 $2,000,000,000
7004-0075 Public Housing Demonstration $50,000,000 $100,000,000 $200,000,000 $200,000,000 $200,000,000
7004-0076 Housing Innovations Fund $100,000,000 $200,000,000 $200,000,000 $200,000,000 $200,000,000
7004-0077 Housing Choice Local Community Planning Grants $35,000,000 $50,000,000 $60,000,000 $50,000,000
7004-0078 Green Housing Initiative $275,000,000 $275,000,000 $275,000,000 $275,000,000
7004-0079 Smart Growth $20,000,000 $20,000,000 $20,000,000 $20,000,000
7004-0080 Middle Income Housing $100,000,000 $100,000,000 $200,000,000 $100,000,000 $100,000,000
7004-0081 Commonwealth Builder $100,000,000 $100,000,000 $200,000,000 $100,000,000
7004-0082 HousingWorks Community Planning Grants $25,000,000 $25,000,000 $25,000,000 $25,000,000
7004-0083 Housing Choice Infrastructure $175,000,000 $175,000,000 $375,000,000 $175,000,000
7004-0085 Neighborhood Stabilization $50,000,000 $50,000,000 $50,000,000 $50,000,000
7004-0092 Commercial Property Conversion $150,000,000
7004-0093 Healthy Homes $50,000,000
7004-0094 Veterans Housing $20,000,000
7004-0095 Transitioning State-Owned Buildings $50,000,000
7004-0096 Rural / Small Town Housing $50,000,000
7004-0097 Seasonal Communities $50,000,000
7004-0098 Mid-Sized and Suburban Housing $50,000,000
7004-4784 Momentum Fund $50,000,000 $250,000,000 $50,000,000 $50,000,000

Legislature Approves Final FY25 Budget

by | Jul 19, 2024 | Housing News

Following the FY 25 Budget Conference Committee reaching agreement on funding for the upcoming fiscal year, the House and Senate were poised on Friday to send a final budget to Governor Healey.  This would mark the first time in several years that the Legislature has passed an on-time budget.  The FY 25 Budget was largely positive for housing, including funding increases across many accounts.

 

Where there were differences between the House and Senate on housing programs, the Conference Committee mostly approved the higher funding levels.  Perhaps the most significant victory in the final bill is the inclusion of the long-sought Access To Counsel program (0321-1800) with funding of $2.5 million for FY 25.

 

Additional housing items that were considered by the Conference Committee were:

  • Housing Consumer Education Centers (7004-3036), which received the higher Senate allocation of $10.5 million;
  • Foreclosure and Housing Counseling (7006-0011), which received higher funding than proposed by either branch at $3.05 million; and
  • Public Housing Operations (7004-0095), which split the difference between the House and the Senate proposals at $113 million.

 

Thanks to chairs Michlewitz and Rodrigues, as well as their staffs, for their tireless work on the FY 25 budget.  Massachusetts is fortunate that the Legislature again has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the housing needs facing the Commonwealth through the prioritization of these and other housing accounts.

CHAPA Announces New Housing Policy Action Center, Funded by Howard Cohen and Myra Musicant

by | Jul 15, 2024 | Housing News

At CHAPA’s 57th Annual Celebration, Howard Cohen and Myra Musicant announced the Musicant Cohen family’s gift of $1 million over four years to seed the new CHAPA Housing Policy Action Center!

This new research center will build on CHAPA’s long history of affordable housing advocacy and policy work to form the next generation of housing policies to put the Commonwealth on the path to a bright future.

Howard and Myra have been long-time supporters of CHAPA and this personal, philanthropic gift further demonstrates their deep commitment to CHAPA’s ability to reach our collective housing goals.

CHAPA’s Housing Policy Action Center will become a permanent part of the housing policy ecosystem, providing information to advance the future of housing policy in the Commonwealth.

This research will complement CHAPA’s ongoing work to advocate for equitable state policies and resources, further fair housing, and eliminate the racial homeownership gap.

We ask you to support CHAPA’s statewide advocacy, research, and policy development. Please consider a personal or corporate philanthropic gift to CHAPA today.