by iwd Tina | Jul 27, 2022 | Housing News
On July 27, the U.S. Treasury Department released updated guidance that allows governments to use State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fully finance long-term affordable housing loans, including the principal of any such loans, subject to certain conditions and other changes that will facilitate significant additional financing for affordable housing projects, including those using the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).
Treasury has released updated FAQs, which include new guidance (2.14 and 4.9) on affordable housing development. Treasury also published a How-to Guide for Affordable Housing to assist SLFRF recipients in using their funds for affordable housing and provides information on combining different sources of federal funds.
Learn more from the Housing Advisory Group, who helped achieve these important updates to the guidelines!
by iwd Tina | Jul 26, 2022 | Housing News
The Legislature passed a $52.7 billion annual budget (H 5050) for the fiscal year 2023, which began on July 1st with an interim spending plan in place on July 18th. The FY2023 Budget is now on Governor Baker’s desk. The Governor has 10 days to review it and send it back with amendments and vetoes.
Below are CHAPA’s recommendations for Governor Baker on making the strongest possible budget for affordable housing, community development, and homelessness prevention.
On behalf of Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), thanks the Governor for making investments in permanent affordable housing solutions, including our state’s rental assistance programs and public housing.
Although the health crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic may be coming under control, our housing challenges remain. We now have a chance to act on equitable housing policies that can ensure long-term stability and prosperity for Massachusetts residents.
CHAPA is a non-profit organization that advocates for the resources and policies needed to support renters, homeowners, and landlords and to preserve and expand the state’s affordable housing stock to make sure everyone in the Commonwealth has a safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home.
Below are funding and language recommendations supported by CHAPA that will help bridge the key differences between the House and Senate budgets and provide the strongest support for these critical resources to help many residents stay housed and recover during this pandemic.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) (7004-9024)
CHAPA asks you to approve the funding level of $154 million allocated through the FY2023 budget as well as the language to allow $20 million in prior appropriations from FY2022 to continue into FY2023. This total funding of ~$175 million for MRVP will help create new rental vouchers to serve more families, produce new affordable homes, and preserve existing affordable housing critical to recovering from the pandemic.
CHAPA requests you to keep the language on establishing a payment standard, lowering tenant rent share to 30% of the household income, and allowing utilities as a part of the tenant rent payment in the budget. These changes will better align the state MRVP program with the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program making MRVP vouchers more competitive and effective to use in a tight housing market.
Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) (7004-9030)
CHAPA asks that you support the increased appropriation of $13,600,000 allocated through the FY2023 budget as well as the language to allow $5.6 million in prior appropriations from FY2022 to continue into FY2023 for AHVP. This total funding of $19.2 million will create new rental vouchers for persons with disabilities.
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) (7004-9316)
CHAPA asks you to support the $150 million in total appropriations for RAFT, including $60 million leftover funds from the FY2022 Supplemental budget to be carried over. This will help thousands of households in Massachusetts avoid eviction and stabilize property owners, especially as the federal emergency rental assistance has ended.
We also request that you keep the language allowing the $10,000 maximum RAFT benefit to be in place until the next year and lowering to $7,000 after. CHAPA also requests you to support the language to de-link RAFT and HomeBASE to allow eligible households to receive maximum RAFT benefit for both RAFT and HomeBASE through June 2022.
Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs) (7004-3036)
CHAPA requests you to support the increased funding of $9.7 million for the HCECs so they can continue to offer critical housing and eviction prevention resources. These are the frontline agencies for delivering housing resources for critical programs like RAFT and HomeBASE.
Public Housing Operating Subsidy (7004-9005)
CHAPA asks you to approve the increased funding level of $92 million for public housing operating subsidy. Unfortunately, years of underfunding before the pandemic have left many housing authorities struggling to operate and keep apartments in good repair. The additional funds will help housing authorities operate and preserve this valuable resource while ensuring health and safety of their tenants, many of whom are at increased risk of the virus because they are elderly or have a disability.
Public Housing Reform (7004-9007)
CHAPA asks you to support the funding level of $1 million for public housing reform. These reforms improve governance and operation of local housing authorities by assisting with capital improvements, unit turn over, and help support a centralized waitlist.
Home and Healthy for Good (7004-0104)
CHAPA asks that you allow for $6.3 million appropriation and language for Home and Healthy for Good (HHG) program from the Conference budget. This program helps reduce homelessness, promote housing stability, and reduce costly utilization of emergency care.
HomeBASE (7004-0108)
CHAPA requests that you adopt the total appropriation of $59,411,201 allocated through the FY2023 budget. This will offer more families an alternative to emergency shelter by providing stabilization services and up to $20,000 in financial assistance to pay rent, utilities, security deposits, and other expenses that would allow them to stay in their homes, move, or live with another family over a period of two years.
Foreclosure Prevention & Housing Counseling (7006-0011)
CHAPA asks you to support the $3.05 million appropriation for foreclosure prevention and housing counseling grants administered by the Division of Banks (DOB). These funds will help thousands of residents in Massachusetts purchase their first home and provide foreclosure counseling to help owners who are at risk of losing their home.
Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP) (7004-3045)
CHAPA asks you to support the $1.8 million appropriation for TPP, an effective homelessness prevention resource. TPP works with households with disabilities facing eviction to determine whether a disability can be reasonably accommodated in order to preserve the tenancy. Additional funds for the program will help prevent more evictions during the ongoing pandemic.
Massachusetts Accessible Housing Registry (MassAccess) (4120-4001)
Thanks to you and the Legislature for including $150,000 funding, for MassAccess, www.massaccesshousingregistry.org. The website is a searchable database of available affordable and accessible housing opportunities in Massachusetts.
The $70,000 increase will help support the replacement of MassAccess with two technologically modern websites for rentals (Housing Navigator – which is already up and running) and homeownership opportunities (MyMassHome – which needs additional funding to go live). The modest increase in funding will ensure that people can find the affordable housing that has been developed throughout the Commonwealth. In order for people to have opportunities to live in the communities they choose, it is critical that they know where affordable homes are located
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (4000-0007)
CHAPA asks that you support the $9.5 million appropriation for housing and wraparound services for unaccompanied youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. We hope that you will support the increased appropriation to allow the program to serve more homeless youth.
New Lease for Homeless Families (7004-0106)
CHAPA asks you to support the $250,000 line-item for New Lease for Homeless Families. New Lease houses families residing in state-funded shelters and hotels by implementing a preference for these families in properties across the Commonwealth. Through New Lease, homeless families have the opportunity to live in desirable and affordable communities with the support they need to achieve successful tenancies. This appropriation will allow the program to continue serving the nearly 300 families that New Lease works with to help find and maintain homes.
by iwd Tina | Jul 26, 2022 | Housing News
by iwd Tina | Jul 22, 2022 | Housing News
The State Senate concluded debate on its Economic Development Bill late Thursday evening. The Senate adopted the following housing related sections by amendment.
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Topic
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Description
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Amount
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Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
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Allows ADUs to be built by-right in every municipality
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|
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Eviction Record Sealing
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Allows certain eviction records to be sealed. Specifically, provides that:
- Tenants facing a no-fault eviction or who satisfy their judgments can seal their records after the conclusion of the case.
- A court may, at its discretion, process such petitions administratively without a hearing and the petition shall be on a form furnished by the trial court
- Sealed records are available to parties
- Tenant screening companies cannot report a sealed case
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|
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STASH Program
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Funding for Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance’s STASH program to serve first generation homebuyers
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$3,500,000
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Permanent Supportive Housing for Human Trafficking Survivors
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Funding for supportive housing for survivors of human trafficking
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$4,000,000
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Acquisition of Small Properties
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Acquisition funds for 1–8 unit properties to create affordable housing; funded through the Housing Stabilization Trust Fund
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$11,180,000
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Fair Housing Study
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Funding to support a fair housing study to help eradicate racial discrimination in housing to be managed through CHAPA
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$100,000
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The other housing related sections from the Senate Ways and Means Economic Development Bill remained unchanged.
Comparison of Housing Related Sections in House and Senate Economic Development Bill
A conference committee will now reconcile the differences between the House and Senate Bills before sending a final bill to the Governor for his signature or vetoes. The Legislature will be unable to override any vetoes because the legislative session ends on July 31st which is before the Governor is required to take action on the bill.
by iwd Tina | Jul 20, 2022 | Housing News
On July 20, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $31 million in direct subsidies, tax credits, and rental vouchers for permanent supportive housing. According to the Governor’s press release, the awards will support 11 projects, including 237 affordable homes with supportive services and 200 shelter beds for individuals and families.
Awarded Projects:
Award Recipients:
150 Pleasant Street (Attleboro): Nonprofit sponsor NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, working with Father Bills & Mainspring, Inc. (FBMS), will create 22 new supportive housing units for extremely low-income adults, as well as 18 new emergency shelter beds for homeless individuals. The completed project will include extensive services for residents. DHCD will support this project with subsidy funds. The City of Attleboro will also support the project with funds of its own, and the sponsor is involved in an ongoing fundraising campaign in support of 150 Pleasant Street.
House of Hope Shelter (Attleboro): Nonprofit sponsor New Hope will offer shelter and services to individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence at a new shelter featuring 14 rooms, including accessible rooms, that will replace two existing, smaller shelters. New Hope will offer residents of the new shelter multiple support services, including therapeutic counseling and case management, as well as access to services available in the broader community. DHCD will support the House of Hope Shelter with subsidy funds. The City of Attleboro also will support the shelter with funds of its own. In addition, New Hope as secured almost $1.4 million in support for the project through extensive fundraising.
Warren Street Housing (Boston): Nonprofit sponsor Commonwealth Land Trust will rehabilitate two buildings in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood that, when complete, will offer 26 single-room occupancy (SRO) units for homeless individuals earning less than 50% of area median income (AMI). Thirteen SROs will be further restricted for homeless individuals earning less than 30% of AMI. The sponsor will offer extensive support services to the residents of Warren Street Housing. DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The City of Boston also will support Warren Street Housing with funds of its own.
Manley Street Housing Resource Center (Brockton): Nonprofit sponsor Father Bill’s & Mainspring, Inc. (FBMS) is building the Manley Street Housing Resource Center that will offer 128 new shelter beds as well as an on-site health clinic and an expanded homeless service center. The organization also hopes to construct an addition to the resource center to create 32 SRO units for homeless individuals. Both the resource center and the proposed 32‑unit project are located less than one quarter-mile from The Roadway, a hotel that FBMS recently converted, with state assistance, to SROs with services for homeless individuals. DHCD is supporting the project with subsidy funds. The City of Brockton also is supporting the project with substantial funds of its own.
35 Harvey Street (Cambridge): This is an occupied rehabilitation project sponsored by the nonprofit Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc., working with CASCAP, Inc. When rehabilitation work is completed, the project will consist of 12 SRO units with individual bathrooms and kitchenettes. All 12 SROs will be restricted for individuals earning less than 50% of AMI, with 10 SROs further restricted for individuals earning less than 30% of AMI. The sponsor also will offer extensive services to the residents of 35 Harvey Street. DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The City of Cambridge also will support 35 Harvey Street with funds of its own.
Catalyst Housing (Lynn): This is a historic re-use project that will serve homeless and/or extremely low‑income individuals, sponsored by the nonprofit Harborlight Community Partners, Inc., working with The Haven Project, Inc. When construction is complete, the project will offer 24 studio units, with 23 units reserved for homeless individuals, including youth and young adults. The sponsor also will offer extensive support services to the new residents of Catalyst Housing. DHCD will support this project with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The City of Lynn also will support Catalyst Housing with funds of its own.
Lynn Emergency Shelter (Lynn): Nonprofit sponsor Lynn Shelter Association will rehab the Lynn Emergency Shelter that will offer 40 beds for homeless adults with extensive support services for residents. DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The City of Lynn will support the project with funds of its own, and the sponsor is engaged in an ongoing fundraising campaign in support of this important project.
New Point Apartments (Salem): This is a historic preservation project consisting of three properties located in Salem’s Point neighborhood, sponsored by the nonprofit North Shore Community Development Corporation. When rehabilitation work is completed, the project will offer 18 total units. Seventeen units will be restricted for households earning less than 50% of AMI, with 10 units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI. When units become vacant, the sponsor and management company will give preference on the project waitlist to homeless families. The sponsor also will provide support services to tenants living at New Point Apartments. DHCD will support the project with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The City of Salem also will support the project with funds of its own.
275 Chestnut Supportive Housing (Springfield): This is a new construction project located at the former YMCA building in downtown Springfield sponsored by the nonprofit Home City Development, Inc. When work is completed, the project will offer 29 SRO units for chronically homeless and extremely low-income individuals. The project sponsor will offer extensive support services to the new residents of 275 Chestnut, and residents will also have access to certain facilities available in the community. DHCD will support the project with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The City of Springfield also will support the project with funds of its own.
Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community (Tewksbury): This is a new construction project sponsored by the nonprofit sponsor Soldier On, Inc. that, when completed, will offer 21 studio and one-bedroom units. All units will be restricted for veterans earning less than 80% of AMI, with 12 units further restricted for veterans earning less than 50% of AMI. Six units will be reserved for veterans earning less than 30% of AMI. When completed, the project will offer extensive support services for new residents. DHCD will support the project with subsidy funds. The Town of Tewksbury also will support the project with funds of its own.
Aurora Apartments Redevelopment (Worcester): Nonprofit sponsor The Community Builders (TCB) will rehabilitate the Aurora Apartments, which, when complete, will feature 85 studios for individuals earning less than 60% of AMI. Thirty studios will be reserved for individuals earning less than 30% of AMI and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness. In addition to services available in the surrounding downtown neighborhood, the sponsor will offer on-site services to the residents of Aurora Apartments. DHCD will support the project – currently occupied – with low-income housing tax credits and subsidy funds. The City of Worcester also will provide funds of its own to support Aurora Apartments.
by iwd Tina | Jul 20, 2022 | Housing News
On July 19, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its Economic Development Bill proposal (S.3018). The legislation includes investments in the production of affordable housing through capital authorizations, homeownership opportunities, reforms for public housing redevelopment, and more. The Senate will vote on the bill later this week.
The following amendments to S.3018 will create long-term solutions to the tremendous affordable housing challenges we faced long before the pandemic.
Please call or email your State Senator TODAY to ask them to co-sponsor CHAPA’s priority amendments in the Economic Development Bill
for affordable housing, community development, and homelessness prevention!
You can use the following script in your message to your State Senator:
As your constituent, I ask that you please co-sponsor and support the following amendments related to affordable housing, community development, clean energy, and homelessness prevention in the Economic Development Bill. This legislation will help us make historic investments in affordable housing and economic development for long terms solutions to challenges we were facing long before the pandemic. We need to adopt these amendments to help everyone have a safe, healthy, and affordable home.Thank you!
As always, thank you for your advocacy!
Contact Your State Senator
#101 – Public Housing Resident Protections during Redevelopment
Sponsored by Sen. Keenan
Adds language to make sure that as public housing redevelopment projects happens that basic resident protections remain in place for existing and future residents. The amendment also ensures that residents are provided with technical assistance to allow for meaningful input into the redevelopment process.
#18 – HOMES ACT (Housing Opportunity and Mobility Eviction Sealing)
Sponsored by Sen. Edwards
Provides urgently needed eviction record sealing protection for tenants. The amendment will protect tenants from being unfairly marked with an eviction record and establish a fair process for tenants to petition the court on a case-by-case
#160 – Accessory Dwelling Units
Sponsored by Sen. Crighton
Helps solve our shortage of homes in Massachusetts by allowing accessory dwelling units to be built by-right in every city an town.
#151 – Permanent Supportive Housing
Sponsored by Sen. Keenan
Will help end chronic homelessness among families and individuals by providing $10 million to create permanent supportive housing.
#613 – Promoting Housing Stability by Allocating Budget Surplus and ARPA Funds to Expand Access to RAFT
Sponsored by Sen. Timilty
Will prevent evictions and homelessness among households who have fallen behind on rent due to the pandemic and other housing emergencies by providing $250 million for RAFT emergency housing assistance.
#174 – Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance
Sponsored by Sen. Crighton
Will help close the racial homeownership gap by providing $30 million for the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance’s STASH program that provides first-generation homebuyers with homeownership opportunities.
#363 – Local Option for Housing Affordability
Sponsored by Sen. Jehlen
Will help address our shortage of affordable homes by creating a local options for cities and towns to enact a transfer fee on certain real estate transactions to support affordable housing.
#452 – Small Properties State Acquisition Fund
Sponsored by Sen. Jehlen
Will create more affordable homes by providing $9 million to be used to acquire 1-8 unit buildings to turn into affordable housing.
#354 – Equitable Developers’ Financing Program
Sponsored by Sen. Gomez
Will create a $75 million program to support affordable housing developers of color in Gateway Cities or communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
