CHAPA, Partners, and Lawmakers Rally for MRVP at Cookie Day
On March 12, CHAPA joined housing advocates, constituents, and nonprofit organizations for Cookie Day, an annual event pushing for increased investment and stability in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). Led by Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants, the event was organized in partnership with EMPath, 2Life Communities, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, The Boston Foundation, and many others. It highlighted the urgent need for expanded rental assistance, as MRVP currently supports nearly 11,000 low-income households, yet rising housing costs continue to leave many struggling to afford rent.
Constituents and advocates shared firsthand how MRVP has provided security, opportunity, and a path toward financial independence, while lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the program. Speakers included Joint Committee on Housing Chairs Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Richard Haggerty, MRVP Codification bill sponsors Rep. Adrian Madaro and Sen. Joan Lovely, and Senator Lydia Edwards, a longtime housing advocate. Edwards, who was recognized for her efforts and honored with the “Big Cookie” award, emphasized the program’s role in preventing displacement and keeping communities strong.
After the speaking program, advocates met with legislators throughout the State House, delivering house-shaped cookies as a reminder of the need for sustained support for the program. Advocates commended legislators for recent increases to MRVP. They also urged lawmakers to allocate $300 million to MRVP in FY26, which would assist approximately 2,300 more low-income households, and to codify the program to ensure long-term certainty for tenants and property owners. Cookie Day reinforced that housing stability through MRVP plays a crucial role in keeping Massachusetts a place where people of all incomes can live and thrive