by iwd Tina | Jan 13, 2021 | Housing News
In response to the unprecedented volume of applications for emergency rental assistance, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has announced changes to improve the RAFT and Emergency Mortgage and Rental Assistance (ERMA) programs.
For RAFT, DHCD is increasing the maximum benefit to $10,000 for all approved applicants, not just renters affected by COVID-19. This “one-pot” of funds should make it easier for agencies to administer. It will also make the maximum benefit available for both renters and homeowners and allow the $10,000 to be used more flexibly, including to maintain housing or secure new housing.
Also for RAFT, DHCD is removing the sustainability requirement. This means households will be eligible for RAFT as long as the benefit of up to $10,000 will solve the presenting housing crisis – such as an eviction or notice to quit. The 6-month housing commitment by the landlord is no longer required to access the $10,000 maximum benefit.
For ERMA, DHCD announced that effective as of January 12, 2021, the maximum benefit for ERMA is being increased from $4,000 to $10,000 within any 12-month period. Households may not receive more than $10,000 of RAFT or ERMA combined assistance within a 12-month period.
Finally, DHCD is coordinating a Rental Assistance Processing Center to help review and process backlogged RAFT applications to accelerate payments to those facing a housing crisis. The Processing Center will complement and support the work of the current RAFT administering agencies. Metro Housing|Boston and Way Finders in Springfield, will be first to use the Processing Center, with the possibility of expanding to additional regions.
by iwd Tina | Jan 13, 2021 | Housing News
The Baker-Polito launched an interactive Eviction Diversion Initiative Dashboard to provide monthly summary statistics about the Massachusetts COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Initiative. The dashboard can be used to view statistics and information for each of the Eviction Diversion Initiative programs.
by iwd Tina | Jan 6, 2021 | Housing News
In the early hours of January 6, the Legislature sent its final Economic Development bill (H.5250) to the Governor. The bill includes many transformative housing policies that CHAPA and our membership have advocated for, including Housing Choice, zoning for multi-family housing in MBTA communities, and other provisions that will allow more Massachusetts residents to find and stay in affordable homes in communities of their choose.
A shortage of affordable homes, decades of restrictive zoning, and a history of gentrification and redlining continue to perpetuate segregation in our state. The housing provisions in the Economic Development bill are much-needed tools for systemic change towards more equitable housing policy. With these tools, communities will be able to create more homes for people who need them while preventing displacement and promoting fair housing for all.
CHAPA thanks House Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Representative Michlewitz, Senator Lessor, other members of the Economic Development Bill conference committee, Housing Committee Chairs Representative Honan and Senator Crighton, and the Legislature for supporting these critical reforms.
The Governor now has ten days to sign or veto the bill. We are urging Governor Baker to quickly sign the bill to make these policies, tools, and resources available for our communities to help create more housing and recover from the pandemic.
Visit our Action Alert page to learn how you can contact the Governor to ask that he sign the bill.
The following is a summary of the housing-related items in the Economic Development Bill. This link provides a slide-deck with an overview of the housing-related provisions.
Housing Choice
Implements zoning reform to help cities and towns approve smart growth zoning and affordable housing by lowering the required vote threshold for a range of housing-related zoning changes and special permits at the local level from a two-thirds supermajority to a simple majority.
Multifamily Zoning in MBTA Communities
Requires designated MBTA communities to be zoned for at least one district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as-of-right.
Abutter Appeals
Allows judges to require non-municipal parties who appeal special permits, site plan review, and variances to post a bond up to $50,000 to secure statutory costs. This provides judges with discretion to consider the merits of the appeal and the relative financial ability of the parties. This will discourage frivolous lawsuit brought only to slow or stop new housing development.
Local Housing Authority Board Member Elections
Creates a process for residents of local housing authorities to be appointed to the boards of their housing authority.
State Low-income Housing Tax Credit
Increases the annual state low-income housing tax credit program cap from $20,000,000 to $40,000,000.
Eviction Record Sealing
Seals all no-fault eviction records. Also prohibits minors from being named in a summary process summons and requires expungement of the names of any minors from any court record or electronic docket.
Transit-Oriented Housing Developments
Authorizes $50,000,000 in capital grants and loans for transit-oriented housing and the production of high-density mixed-income affordable housing near transit.
Climate-Resilient Affordable Housing Developments
Authorizes $10,000,000 for sustainable and climate-resilient construction in affordable, multifamily housing developments to better respond to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Neighborhood Stabilization
Authorizes $50,000,000 for neighborhood stabilization to help return blighted or vacant housing back to productive use.
Tenant’s Right to Purchase
Creates a local option establishing a tenant’s right of first refusal and outlines a process by which tenants occupying a residential property may purchase said property prior to its sale or foreclosure.
Gateway Cities Housing Program
Authorizes $5,000,000 for a Gateway City housing pilot program to support the construction of shovel-ready market-rate housing opportunities.
HDIP Programmatic changes
Requires at least 10% of units built with the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) to be affordable for people whose income is not more than 60% of the area median income (AMI) or owner-occupied units for those whose income is not more than 80% AMI. Also amends the HDIP program to increase transparency and equity.
40R Smart Growth
Permits the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to establish smart growth design standards, clarifies that mixed use development is allowed, places limitations on density bonus payments for housing in districts limited to age-restricted, disabled, or assisted living populations, and enhances DHCD’s ability to claw back incentive payments if a community repeals 40R zoning.
by iwd Tina | Jan 5, 2021 | Housing News
In November 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration, MassHousing, Citizens’ Housing & Planning Association (CHAPA), and the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Organizations (MACDC) announced a five-point Eviction Diversion Pledge, a commitment from Massachusetts property owners and operators to working with tenants facing financial difficulties because of the pandemic and supporting housing stability during the ongoing fight against the spread of COVID-19. The original press release is available with more details.
As of March 22nd, 2021, 73 property owners have committed to the Pledge, representing 141,792 homes across the Commonwealth.
If you own rental housing, please join these affordable housing owners and developers in signing this pledge to work with tenants who have fallen behind on rent:
Asian Community Development Corporation
Beacon Communities
Berkshire Housing Development Corporation
Birchwood Sustainable Development
B’nai B’rith Housing
Capstone Communities
Caritas Communities
Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation
Community Development Partnership
Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation
EA Fish Development LLC
Fenway Community Development Corporation
FHRC Management Corporation
First Realty Management
Gilman Square Associates
Harborlight Community Partners
Hebrew SeniorLife
Hilltown Community Development Corporation
Home City Development, Inc.
Homeowners Rehab, Inc.
Housing Families, Inc.
Housing Nantucket
Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA)
J&G Realty
Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation
Just-A-Start Corporation
Lawrence Community Works
Lena Park Community Development Corporation
Madison Park Development Corporation
Main South Community Development Corporation
Maloney Properties
MassNAHRO
Metro West Collaborative Development
Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services
NeighborWorks Housing Solutions
New Vue Communities
Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH)
North Shore Community Development Corporation
One Holyoke Community Development Corporation
Peabody Properties
Pennrose LLC
Planning Office for Urban Affairs
Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH)
Somerville Community Corporation
Somerville YMCA
Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation
Spring Meadhow Association of Responsible Tenants, Inc.
Standard Communities
The Community Builders
The Neighborhood Developers
The NHP Foundation
Trinity Financial
Urban Edge
Victory Programs, Inc.
WATCH CDC
Way Finders
Winn Companies
Worcester Common Ground
