by iwd Tina | Apr 13, 2023 | Housing News
On April 12, the House Committee on Ways and Means released its FY2024 state budget proposal. The $56.2 billion budget includes increased funding for several of CHAPA’s affordable housing priorities, including MRVP, Public Housing, and RAFT.
The budget also proposed re-instating and making permanent tenant protections that pause eviction cases if there is a pending application for emergency rental assistance. The Legislature enacted this protection during the COVID emergency. The protection expired on March 31st. Advocates, along with CHAPA, are advocating for this protection to be restored.
CHAPA thanks Rep. Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, for his strong support of affordable housing programs.
The House will debate the budget the week of April 24th. Members can file amendments to the budget which are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14. CHAPA will be working with its partners to support amendments that will make the final House budget the strongest possible for our affordable housing priorities.
The table below highlights funding proposals for affordable housing, community development, and homelessness prevention programs.
| Line-Item |
Program |
FY2024 Requests |
HWM Budget |
FY2024 Gov’s Budget |
FY2023 Budget |
| 7004-9024 |
Mass. Rental Voucher Program |
$250,000,000 |
$173,247,567† |
$168,247,567 |
$154,000,000 |
| 7004-9030 |
Alternative Housing Voucher Program |
$26,000,000 |
$14,108,528‡ |
$14,108,528 |
$13,685,355‡ |
| 7004-9316 |
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition |
$250,000,000 |
$180,602,462 |
$162,602,462 |
$150,000,000 |
| 7004-9005 |
Public Housing Operating |
$184,000,000 |
$102,000,000 |
$92,000,000 |
$92,000,000 |
| 7004-3036 |
Housing Consumer Education Centers |
$10,185,000 |
$9,700,000 |
$8,774,000 |
$9,700,000 |
| 7004-9007 |
Public Housing Reform |
$7,700,000 |
$2,200,000 |
$2,200,000 |
$1,000,000 |
| 7004-0104 |
Home & Healthy for Good |
$8,390,000 |
$8,390,000 |
$4,162,300 |
$6,390,000 |
| 7004-0108 |
HomeBASE |
$60,000,000 |
$42,070,445 |
$42,070,445 |
$59,411,201 |
| 7006-0011 |
Foreclosure & Housing Counseling |
$3,050,000 |
$3,050,000 |
$1,500,000 |
$3,050,000 |
| 7004-3045 |
Tenancy Preservation Program |
$1,800,000 |
$2,042,755 |
$2,042,755 |
$1,800,000 |
| 4120-4001 |
MassAccess Registry |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
| 4000-0007 |
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth |
$12,000,000 |
$10,545,850 |
$10,545,850 |
$9,500,000 |
| 7004-0106 |
New Lease for Homeless Families |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
| NEW |
Fair Housing Trust Fund |
$1,500,000 |
– |
– |
– |
| NEW |
Access to Counsel Program |
$7,000,000 |
– |
– |
– |
† Includes language to carryover unspent funds from FY23 bringing total FY24 funding for MRVP to an estimated $192.2 million
‡ Includes language to carryover unspent funds from FY23 bringing total FY24 funding for AHVP to an estimated $24 million
by iwd Tina | Mar 29, 2023 | Housing News
On March 29, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced this year’s Permanent Supportive Housing Grant Awards. The awards total more than $62 million in state and federal subsidies and additional state and federal tax credit allocations.
According to the Governor’s press release, the awards will support 12 affordable projects that offer specialized services to residents. In total, they will create more than 460 homes, nearly all of which will be reserved for households with low-incomes and include 317 homes for residents with very low-incomes.
Permanent supportive housing provides affordable housing for vulnerable populations with targeted supportive services to address a diverse range of needs, including case management, job training, childcare, health and support services. The awards include projects for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, adults with disabilities, families transitioning from homelessness, vulnerable youth, and seniors with low-incomes.
The awards include $62 million in direct subsidies, including federal ARPA funding, and state and federal housing tax credits which will create an additional $74 million in equity for projects. In addition, the Department of Housing and Community Development will support projects with more than 120 project-based housing vouchers, which help operate housing over the long-term.
As listed in the Governor’s press release, the following projects received awards:
Hamilton at Mount Everett is a new construction project for seniors in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. The non-profit sponsor is Viet-AID, working with Hebrew SeniorLife as the service provider. The sponsor will build 36 units for low-income seniors, including 16 units for very low-income seniors. In addition to DHCD tax credits and subsidies, the city of Boston will support this project with local funding. The completed project will include comprehensive services from Hebrew SeniorLife and will replace an existing abandoned house with new housing. The project is also designed to Passive House standards.
Cheney Homes Apartments is a new construction project for seniors in Boston’s Grove Hall neighborhood. The non-profit sponsor is Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, working with the Uphams Corner Health Committee (UCHC) as the service provider. The project will feature 48 units for low-income seniors, including 20 units for very low-income seniors. In addition to DHCD tax credits and subsidies, the city of Boston will support this project with local funds. UCHC will operate a satellite PACE (Alternative Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly) on the first floor of the new building. Many residents as well as nonresidents will receive PACE services on-site.
3371 Washington Street is a new construction project for seniors to be built in Boston (Jamaica Plain). The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation is the non-profit sponsor and has hired Peabody Properties to coordinate service staff, including a resident service coordinator and a part-time wellness nurse. The project will feature 39 affordable one-bedroom units, with 12 further restricted for very low-income seniors. In addition to DHCD subsidies, the city of Boston will support this project with local funds. The Washington Street project is transit-oriented, it is two blocks from the MBTA’s Green Street Orange Line Station and is served by many retail amenities. The project is an excellent location for age-restricted housing. The JPNDC team designed the project to Passive House standards.
170 Cottage Street is a new construction family project in Chelsea. The non-profit sponsor, The Neighborhood Developers, will construct 66 units, primarily two- and three-bedroom apartments, and will work with Housing Families to deliver services to 15 units set aside for homeless families. In addition to DHCD tax credits and subsidies, the city of Chelsea will support this project with local funds. The location is within walking distance of Bellingham Square and is one block from the MBTA Eastern Avenue Silver Line stop. The project is designed to Passive House standards.
Forward at the Rock Phase 2 is the new construction and expansion of a project located in Dennis designed to serve adults with autism. The non-profit sponsor is FORWARD, Inc. When completed, the second phase will offer eight additional units for the target population. The town of Dennis is supporting the project with its own funds and DHCD is supporting phase two with state project-based housing vouchers.
60 Wells Street is a combined renovation and new construction project in Greenfield. The non-profit Clinical Support Options (CSO) will renovate and expand an existing state-funded homeless shelter for individuals from 30 beds to 40 beds and will construct a new three-story addition to create 36 new studios for homeless individuals. Shelter guests and permanent residents will have access to a variety of 24/7 services, designed to meet the needs of formerly homeless — including chronically homeless — individuals. CSO, with its affiliate, Friends of the Homeless, will provide the services and operate the expanded shelter, which currently is managed by ServiceNet. In addition to DHCD tax credits and subsidies, the city of Greenfield is expected to commit local funds to the project.
Hennessey House is an existing historic single-room occupancy (SRO) property in downtown Lynn. Affordable Housing Associates of Lynn, the non-profit affiliate of the Lynn Housing Authority, will convert this traditional SRO to 51 studios with private kitchens and bathrooms and will improve the overall accessibility of the building by adding an elevator. A total of 23 studios will be restricted for very low-income individuals, many of whom will be transitioning from homelessness. A local service provider will continue to use first-floor commercial space to serve homeless and at-risk youth and young adults. The city of Lynn has committed local HOME funds to the project, which also will receive DHCD subsidies.
Bracewell House is the renovation of a two-family house in North Adams. The nonprofit sponsor, Louison House, will convert the existing building into seven units for homeless and at-risk youth and young adults ages 18-24. The sponsor will provide comprehensive services funded through EOHHS and HUD’s Continuum of Care grants. The building is located within a few blocks of downtown. The city of North Adams has donated the property to the sponsor, and DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds.
First Street Apartments is a project located in Pittsfield and intended to serve homeless adults. The non-profit sponsor is Berkshire Housing Development Corporation. The project consists of the conversion of part of an existing church into nine units of housing and a resource center. The city of Pittsfield is providing the project with $1.4 million in local funds, and DHCD will support the project with state project-based vouchers.
West Housatonic Apartments is a new construction project to be built in Pittsfield. The nonprofit Berkshire Housing Development Corporation will build 28 studios for very low-income individuals, the majority of whom have experienced chronic homelessness. Supportive services will be provided by Berkshire Housing in collaboration with ServiceNet and the Brien Center, with service funding provided by Home and Healthy for Good and other sources. The city of Pittsfield has committed ARPA funds to the project, which DHCD will support with tax credits and subsidy funds.
775 Worthington Street is a new construction project to be built in Springfield. Clinical Support Options (CSO) and the Friends of the Homeless (FOH) will demolish an existing one-story building and construct a four-story building to create 36 studios and a 40bed congregate shelter. The new structure will be built adjacent to Friends of the Homeless’ existing shelter/permanent housing project called Worthington Street. The city of Springfield has committed local funds to the project, which DHCD will support with tax credits and subsidy funds.
237 Chandler Street consists of the conversion of the second story of a historic building in Worcester. The non-profit South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) will convert a portion of the second floor of their current administrative building into 20 studio units for chronically homeless individuals. SMOC will provide supportive services supported by the CSPECH program funded through MassHealth/Medicaid. The city of Worcester has committed local ARPA and HOME funds, and DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds.
by iwd Tina | Mar 7, 2023 | Housing News
Everyone has the right to choose where they want to live, free from discrimination, and we all play a role in shaping our future. Join us virtually on April 27th from 1-4 PM as we explore recent fair housing research and discuss the actions we must take to create the future we want to see.
It has been 55 years since the Fair Housing Act was signed as a part of The Civil Rights Act of 1968, and there is still much to do to achieve justice and equity. Critical research and fieldwork documenting housing discrimination continue to lay out the need for change, but we cannot stop there.
The present-day consequences of decades of systemic discrimination require proactive strategies to close the racial wealth gap effectively. It requires us to understand the causes and impacts of discriminatory practices and demands a call to action to redress the harm done.
CHAPA’s Annual Fair Housing Symposium will feature key findings from two recent research reports listed below, followed by panel discussions with experts on potential redress:
Register now to join us on Thursday, April 27th, for this critical discussion!
Stay tuned for more details, including an agenda, a list of speakers and panelists, and Fair Housing ‘Open Door Champion’ awardees!
Contact Whitney Demetrius (wdemetrius@chapa.org), Director of Fair Housing Engagement, with any questions about this event or if you are in need of interpretation services or other accommodations for this meeting. Closed captioning is available.
by iwd Tina | Mar 2, 2023 | Housing News
On March 1, Governor Healey released her FY2024 state budget proposal. The $55.5 billion budget includes increased funding for several of CHAPA’s affordable housing priorities, including MRVP, AHVP, and RAFT. Public housing remained level funded while Housing Consumer Education Centers and Home and Healthy for Good received funding cuts.
The table below highlights funding proposals for affordable housing, community development, and homelessness prevention programs. A list with descriptions of proposed language changes to the budget program follows the table.
The budget process now turns to the Massachusetts House which wild debate its budget proposal in April.
| Line-Item |
Program |
DRAFT FY2024 Requests |
Gov’s FY2024 Budget |
FY2023 Budget |
| 7004-9024 |
Mass. Rental Voucher Program |
$250,000,000 |
$168,247,567 |
$154,000,000† |
| 7004-9030 |
Alternative Housing Voucher Program |
$26,000,000 |
$14,108,528 |
$13,685,355‡ |
| 7004-9316 |
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition |
$250,000,000 |
$162,602,462 |
$150,000,000* |
| 7004-9005 |
Public Housing Operating |
$184,000,000 |
$92,000,000 |
$92,000,000 |
| 7004-3036 |
Housing Consumer Education Centers |
$10,185,000 |
$8,774,000 |
$9,700,000 |
| 7004-9007 |
Public Housing Reform |
$7,700,000 |
$2,200,000 |
$1,000,000 |
| 7004-0104 |
Home & Healthy for Good |
$8,390,000 |
$4,162,300 |
$6,390,000 |
| 7004-0108 |
HomeBASE |
$60,000,000 |
$42,070,445 |
$59,411,201 |
| 7006-0011 |
Foreclosure & Housing Counseling |
$3,050,000 |
$1,500,000 |
$3,050,000 |
| NEW |
Access to Counsel Program |
$7,000,000 |
– |
– |
| 7004-3045 |
Tenancy Preservation Program |
$1,800,000 |
$2,042,755 |
$1,800,000 |
| 4120-4001 |
MassAccess Registry |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
| 4000-0007 |
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth |
$12,000,000 |
$10,545,850 |
$9,500,000 |
| 7004-0106 |
New Lease for Homeless Families |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
| 7004-0105 |
Sponsor-Based Permanent Supportive Housing |
– |
$7,600,000 |
$7,100,000 |
| 7004-9032 |
Economic Mobility |
– |
$1,500,000 |
– |
† Includes language to carryover unspent funds from FY22 bringing total FY23 funding for MRVP to an estimated $175 million
‡ Includes language to carryover unspent funds from FY22 bringing total FY23 funding for AHVP to an estimated $19.2 million
* An estimated $60 million in unspent RAFT funds from FY22 will carryover into FY23 bringing total FY23 funding for RAFT to an estimated $210 million
MASSACHUSETTS RENTAL VOUCHER PROGRAM (7004-9024)
Description of Changes:
- Allows project based vouchers to follow applicable limits on tenant paid rent under another federal or state program the voucher may be subject to
- Makes technical changes to allow for phasing in of payment standard
- Sets payment standard at 100% of the Fair Market Rent and allows the use of Small Area Fair Market Rents. Changes the current language of allowing payment standard to use up to 110% of the Fair Market Rent
- Allows use of a higher payment standard as a reasonable accommodation or otherwise at the discretion of the executive office
- Allows households to pay more than 40% of their income towards rent after the first year of participation in the program. The current budget language only allows households to pay up to 40% of their income towards rent after the first year of participation in the program.
- Removes the language to carry over the unspent funds from FY2023
ALTERNATIVE HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM (7004-9030)
Description of Changes:
- Allows AHVP vouchers to be project based
- Allows AHVP maximum rents to use up to 110% of the Small Area Fair Market Rent
- Adds language suggesting that AHVP may move to a payment standard
- Removes the language to carry over the unspent funds from FY2023
RAFT (7004-9316)
Description of Changes:
- Caps RAFT benefit to $7,000 over a 24-month period. Current language allows a maximum benefit of $7,000 over a 12-month period.
- Removes language that sets a $10,000 maximum benefit for the program through the end of FY2023 on June 30, 2023
- Removes $3 million set aside for providing assistance to households of all sizes and configurations
- Removes reporting requirements
HOMEBASE (7004-0108)
Description of Changes:
- Sets $10 million aside for circumstances where an award of more than $20,000 over two years is essential to resolve a housing crisis
- Limits HomeBASE benefit to citizens and lawful residents
- Allows households to increase their income beyond the income limit during the 2 years the household is receiving HomeBASE
- Removes reporting requirements
HOUSING CONSUMER EDUCATION CENTERS (7004-3036)
Description of Changes:
- Removes housing stabilization earmark
- Removes reporting requirement
- Removes funding to support the Regional Housing Network
FORECLOSURE AND HOUSING COUNSELING (7006-0011)
Description of Changes:
- Lowers the amount of retained revenue from licensure fees from $3.05 million to $1.5 million
- Removes the $1.5 million minimum set aside for foreclosure and housing counseling grants.
