by iwd Tina | Feb 15, 2024 | Housing News
On Wednesday, February 14th, 2024, residents of Milton voted no on a bright and inclusive future for their community. At a time when people across income levels are feeling the pain of escalating home prices and rents, CHAPA is disappointed that Milton voters chose the status quo that keeps their gates closed and limits opportunities for people to have homes they can afford in the neighborhoods they love. Milton’s vote impacts people, our region, and our economy.
CHAPA applauds Arlington, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Danvers, Dedham, Essex, Everett, Grafton, Haverhill, Lakeville, Lexington, Lowell, Malden, Mansfield, Medford, Newton, Northbridge, Pembroke, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Somerville, Stoneham, Taunton, and Wareham, who have submitted applications to the state for approval of multifamily zoning districts that will foster a vibrant and inclusive future. We hope Milton residents will come together to adopt a multifamily zoning district that complies with the law and join so many other communities in saying yes to a future where everyone can thrive.
Municipalities have a collective responsibility to ensure we are part of fostering a healthy and vibrant Commonwealth. Housing is the best investment every community can make for a strong future. CHAPA stands ready to support Milton and all MBTA Communities in complying with the law and allowing the multifamily housing we need for dynamic communities where kids can grow up near their grandparents, businesses thrive, renters can become homeowners, and people can stay in the neighborhoods they love.
Since March 2022, CHAPA’s Municipal Engagement Initiative (MEI) has supported Milton residents as they have grown a strong coalition of neighbors supporting affordable housing. CHAPA and our MEI team will continue to support Yes for Milton volunteers and Affordable and Inclusive Milton (AIM) in their local advocacy efforts to say “yes” to more affordable housing.
As we support Milton in being part of the Commonwealth’s housing solutions, we look to the leadership of Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who, on January 16th, wrote to the Town of Milton “Should the Town chart a course in contravention of state law, however, the Attorney General’s Office will carry out its responsibility to enforce the law, without hesitation.”
Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) supported the Yes for Milton campaign alongside the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC), Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance(MAHA), and Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA) and released a joint statement before the vote.
by iwd Tina | Feb 13, 2024 | Housing News
Four leading statewide affordable housing organizations today called on Milton residents to vote YES on February 13 to adopt multi-family zoning consistent with the MBTA Communities Law.
“A YES vote in Milton will show that inclusive zoning is part of an overall strategy to preserve what we love about our unique neighborhoods, expand affordable housing, grow our local economies, and make it easier for people to get around without always needing to drive,” said Rachel Heller, CEO of Citizens Housing and Planning Association. “Housing is the best investment we can make for a strong future.”
Two-thirds of town meeting members voted to approve the zoning article in December but a group of opponents have collected signatures to put the issue to a town-wide vote on February 13th.
“Milton prides itself on its suburban diversity,” said Symone Crawford, executive director of the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance. “With the average single family home in Milton now selling for over $1 million, A YES vote is one way to ensure that diversity continues.”
“State officials are serious about cutting off access to discretionary grants and state aid,” said Jesse Kanson-Benanav, executive director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts. “Milton voters can avoid that risk by saying YES on February 13 and create more housing choice for its residents.”
State law calls for the 177 communities in greater Boston served by the MBTA to adopt multi-family zoning districts. Twelve communities, those closest to Boston and served by rapid transit, faced the first deadline for compliance of December 31, 2023. All twelve adopted compliant zoning by that date. Milton is the only one of the twelve contesting that adoption.
“Local nonprofit affordable housing developers have created thousands of affordable homes over the years but the need for more is obvious,” said Emily Haber, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations. “If you care about creating more affordable homes, a YES vote on February 13th is the only vote.”
“A yes vote will move Milton forward,” said Matt Morong, co-chair of YES! for Milton. “Our town planners and town residents spent eighteen months devising a plan to comply with this 2021 state law which is designed to take some pressure off of our housing market. Milton needs to be part of our regional housing solution.”
by iwd Tina | Feb 6, 2024 | Housing News
Right now, members of Congress are working to pass fiscal year 2024 spending bills for a range of federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Unfortunately, there are indications that the proposals being considered would underfund HUD and threaten housing and homelessness programs.
From the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC):
Congress needs to hear from you! Advocates should contact their members of Congress and demand they help address the housing and homelessness crisis by enacting an FY24 spending bill with significant increases for affordable housing and homelessness programs, including NLIHC’s top priorities:
- Full funding to renew all existing contracts for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
- Increased funding for public housing operations and repairs.
- At minimum, the $3.9 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants proposed by the Senate bill.
- The protection of $20 million in funding for the Eviction Prevention Grant Program provided in the Senate bill.
- The $1.1 billion for Native Housing proposed by the House bill.
Advocates can continue to engage their members of Congress by:
- Emailing or calling members’ offices to tell them about the importance of affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources to you, your family, your community, or your work. You can use NLIHC’s Take Action page to look up your member offices or call/send an email directly!
- Using social media to amplify messages about the country’s affordable housing and homelessness crisis and the continued need for long-term solutions.
- Sharing stories of those directly impacted by homelessness and housing instability. Storytelling adds emotional weight to your message and can help lawmakers see how their policy decisions impact actual people. Learn about how to tell compelling stories with this resource.
National, state, local, tribal, and territorial organizations can also join over 2,100 organizations on the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding’s (CHCDF’s) national letter calling on Congress to support the highest level of funding possible for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources in FY24
by iwd Tina | Feb 5, 2024 | Housing News
On January 31, the House of Representatives passed HR 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 by a vote of 357-70. Among the many provisions of the bill are housing tax credits: the restoration of the 12.5 percent allocation increase for 2023-2025 and the reduction of the bond threshold required to access the 4 percent credit from 50 percent to 30 percent for 2024 – 2025.
This bill now moves on to the Senate where party leaders will negotiate to put the bill to a vote. The legislation will need 60 votes to avoid procedural hurdles and could be delayed if it is sent to the Finance Committee to be marked up instead of directly to the Senate floor.
National housing advocates are urging anyone supporting this bill, and the housing credits it includes, to contact their senators and urge them to bring it to a vote soon. For more on this legislation and advocacy opportunities, visit the Housing Advisory Group’s website.
by iwd Tina | Jan 24, 2024 | Housing News
by iwd Tina | Jan 24, 2024 | Housing News
On January 24th, Governor Healey revealed the FY2025 budget proposal of $56.1 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, focusing on investments in education, infrastructure, and housing.
Revenue & Budget:
This budget represents an increase of 2.9% from the previous fiscal year (FY24), reflecting restrained revenue growth. The $56.1 billion budget allocates full funding for the Student Opportunity Act, boosts local aid, and covers the costs of tax reductions implemented last year. It includes an anticipated $1.3 billion in revenue from the Fair Share surtax, which is earmarked for education and transportation initiatives.
To manage the gap between revenue and spending, the budget trims $450 million from various items and avoids $500 million in additional spending. The Rainy Day Fund is expected to receive a $97 million deposit. For more information on the revenue estimates and budget rationale, check out the FY2025 Budget briefs by the Administration.
Affordable Housing Priorities:
Many of CHAPA’s affordable housing priorities received an increased investment in the Governor’s FY2025 budget proposal while many others received a level of funding and some of them had lower allocations than FY2024. Please see our Language analysis of the affordable housing priorities for policy details.
Supplemental Budget
Along with the FY2025 budget, the Administration also filed a Supplemental budget that draws from the transitional escrow funds to cover the EA shelter costs for FY2024 and FY2025. The Supp budget proposes $70 million for the Housing Stabilization Fund to provide for acquisition, preservation, rehab, and homelessness prevention; $50 million for Public Housing; $20 million for the Housing Innovation Fund, and $10 million for the Momentum Fund.
