CHAPA, Partners, and Lawmakers Rally for MRVP at Cookie Day

by | Mar 16, 2025 | Uncategorized

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

NLIHC Releases 2025 Gap Report: What it Means for Massachusetts

by | Mar 13, 2025 | Housing News

The latest Gap Report from NLIHC underscores the ongoing need for investment in affordable housing while highlighting Massachusetts’ relative strength compared to other states. Thanks to strong commitments to public housing, rental assistance, and homelessness prevention, Massachusetts has maintained a larger subsidized affordable housing stock than many other places. However, challenges remain in closing the affordability gap and ensuring that all residents have access to stable housing.

For every 100 extremely low-income (ELI) renters in Massachusetts, only 44 affordable and available homes exist, resulting in a statewide shortage of 183,253 units. This gap has only grown wider, with the number of ELI renters increasing by 10,000 in the past year alone. The shortage is particularly severe for households earning at or below 50% of AMI, where the demand for affordable housing is greatest. Yet restrictive land use policies and other barriers continue to limit the production of new affordable homes, further exacerbating the crisis and making it even harder for the lowest-income households to secure stable housing.

Addressing these challenges will take a comprehensive approach, including sustained investment in rental assistance, increased housing production, and reforms to outdated zoning policies. By taking these steps, Massachusetts can build on its progress and create lasting solutions that ensure more residents have access to safe, affordable homes.