The Massachusetts Legislature is negotiating a final spending plan for more than half of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Funds.
The House and Senate each passed their own spending proposals with both Chambers providing at least $600 million for affordable housing production and preservation, homeownership, supportive housing, public housing, and housing rehabilitation.
Following the passage of the Senate’s ARPA spending proposal, the House and Senate had less than a week to reconcile the differences between the two proposals. The Legislature did not agree to a final plan to send to the Governor before the House and Senate went on recess before Thanksgiving. Although negotiations can continue, the Legislature does not reconvene in formal sessions until January 2022.
Chief negotiators, including Rep. Michelwitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, indicated that a final spending plan could emerge during an informal session if there is unanimous support for the plan. However, during informal sessions, only one legislator needs to object in order to prevent movement on the bill.
Meanwhile, CHAPA submitted recommendations to the conference committee negotiating the final spending plan on funding and language recommendations that will help bridge the key differences between the House and Senate ARPA spending bills and provide the strongest support for critical affordable housing resources to secure a healthy future for all.
On November 10, 2021, the State Senate finalized its spending plan for spending a majority of the state’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal recovery funding, including $600 million to support affordable housing.
CHAPA thanks Senate President Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, Housing Committee Chair Keenan, and the all the members of the Senate for prioritizing affordable housing! The housing investments are outlined below:
Affordable Housing Investments
The final Senate spending plan (S.2580) provides $600 million for supportive housing, public housing, homeownership, and affordable housing production and preservation, as well as an additoinal $10 million for green energy retrofitting. These investments will provide homeownership aid, housing production, and maintenance, with a focus on developing both affordable housing and supportive housing stock as a much-needed response to ongoing housing instability and homelessness.
A summary of the funding allocation breakdown is provided below:
$150 million for Supportive Housing Production
$150million for Public Housing Maintenance
$50million for Homeownership Assistance to help first-time homebuyers
$125 million for CommonWealth Builder Program to build new affordable homeownership opportunities
$125 million for Affordable Housing Production & Preservation
$10 million for green energy retrofitting
CHAPA thanks all the Senate members who sponsored and co-sponsored our priority amendments. During the debate of the bill, the Senate adopted a CHAPA priority amendment that made language changes to allow homeownership assistance funds to also be used for debt reduction programs. Unfortunately, several of our priority amendments were not adopted, including funding for a statewide legal assistance program to help residents with low-incomes facing eviction.
A conference committee will now reconcile the differences between the House and Senate bills.
Comparison of House & Senate ARPA Spending Proposals
Line-Item
Program
House
Senate
1599-2020
Homeownership Assistance
$100 million
$50 million
1599-2021
Homeownership Production
$100 million
$125 million
1599-2022
Rental Production
$100 million
$125 million
1599-2023
Supportive Housing
$150 million
$150 million
1599-2024
Public Housing
$150 million
$150 million
1599-2035
Green Energy Retrofitting
–
$10 million
The members of the conference committee are Representatives Michlewitz, Hunt, and Smola, and Senators Rodrigues, Friedman, and O’Connor. The Legislature hopes to send a final ARPA spending bill to the Governor by the start of its Thanksgiving recess on November 17, 2021.
CHAPA will be making recommendations to the conference committee to ensure the strongest possible final ARPA spending bill for affordable housing is send to Governor Baker.
On November 3rd, Senate leaders released a $3.67 billion plan for spending a majority of the state’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal recovery funding. CHAPA thanks Chairman Rodrigues and the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee for prioritizing $600 million towards affordable housing.
This Wednesday, the Senate will debate its spending plan (S.2564). We are currently working to strengthen the language of our current affordable housing programs while also expanding investments for housing rehabilitation, housing and eviction representation, and community based organizations’ outreach and emergency housing assistance efforts. We have proposed amendments to the spending plan in order to accomplish these goals. More details about the amendments can be found below.
Please call or email your State Senator today and ask them to co-sponsor the following amendments:
Please use the following updated script in your message to your State Senator:
Hello, I am [NAME] from [CITY or TOWN] in the Senator’s district. Housing is the single best investment Massachusetts can make to secure a healthy future for all. Substantial investments to support affordable housing production, preservation, and rehabilitation, public housing, homeownership, supportive housing, and a housing and eviction representation program are important for our recovery for the pandemic. I am requesting that the Senator support and sign on to co-sponsor the following amendments. [LIST THE AMENDMENTS BELOW]. Thank you.
As always, thank you for your advocacy and for your support of CHAPA’s priorities. If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Dominguez, CHAPA’s Policy Analyst, at 617-684-4713.
#257 – Housing and Eviction Representation Program Sponsored by Sen. DiDomenico
Sen. DiDomenico’s amendment provides $12.4 million for housing and eviction representation for those at risk of eviction. Legal assistance will be provided by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) to tenants and qualified landlords to improve equity in legal representation. Providing access to an attorney during eviction cases is proven effective at securing fair and favorable outcomes, preventing homelessness, reducing trauma, and creating stronger communities.
#270 – MA Healthy Homes Initiative Sponsored by Sen. Keenan
Sen. Keenan’s amendment provides $25 million to support the rehabilitation of homes to address a wide range of health and safety issues, including lead paint removal, replacement of lead water pipes, elimination of mold and other health hazards. The Massachusetts housing stock is among the oldest in the country. These funds will help approximately 1,000 homes across the Commonwealth safe for families, children, and seniors.
#71 – Affordable Homeownership Opportunities Sponsored by Sen. Crighton
Sen. Crighton’s amendment increases the homeownership financing investments for first-time homebuyers to $300 million. This investment expands resources for first-time homebuyers, including down payment assistance and access to mortgages, targeting those in disproportionately impacted communities.
#124 – Community Based-Organizations Grant Program Sponsored by Sen. Gomez
Sen. Gomez’s amendment provides $5 million for a new grant program for community-based organizations to support outreach efforts about emergency resources and to assist households with applying for housing assistance. This will help communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 to access the state’s rental assistance programs and save people’s homes while also supporting property owners.
#142 – First Time Homebuyer Assistance Sponsored by Sen. Cyr
Sen. Cyr’s amendment allows funds for homeownership assistance to be used for debt reduction programs, like for paying down student loans, in order to help first-time homebuyers. The amendment would help break down additional barriers to homeownership that can help lower mortgage interest rates and repair credit.
#265 – Replenishing Depleted RAFT Funds Sponsored by Sen. Keenan
Sen. Keenan’s amendment creates a $20 million reserve to support the RAFT program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RAFT has helped to prevent thousands of evictions and keep families stably housed. This amendment will ensure that RAFT will continue to assist eligible households with resources to prevent or end their housing instability and homelessness.
#192 – CommonWealth Builders Sponsored by Sen. Collins
Sen. Collins’s amendment provides an additional $75 million for the CommonWealth Builders program to create more affordable homeownership opportunities for households with low- and moderate-incomes. This will build more homes to further reduce the racial homeownership and wealth gaps in Massachusetts.
#76 – Affordable Housing Production Sponsored by Sen. Finegold
Sen. Finegold’s amendment provides an additional $75 million for creating new affordable rental homes in communities across Massachusetts. Together, this investment could create safe, healthy, and affordable homes for a more than 6,000 residents across the Commonwealth.
#65 – Supportive Housing Production Sponsored by Sen. Moore
Sen. Moore’s amendment provides an additional $150 million for creating new affordable homes with supportive services in communities across Massachusetts. Together, this investment could create safe, healthy, and affordable homes with access to services for our most vulnerable residents, including survivors of trafficking/domestic violence, persons experiencing homelessness, seniors, and those with serious behavioral health or substance abuse challenges.
On November 3, 2021, the Senate Ways and Means Committee and other House leaders released a $3.67 billion plan for spending a majority of the state’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal recovery funding.
CHAPA thanks Chairman Rodrigues and the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee for prioritizing $600 million towards affordable housing. Their housing investments are outlined below:
Affordable Housing Investments
The spending plan (S.2564) provides $600 million for supportive housing, public housing, homeownership, and affordable housing production. These investments will provide homeownership aid, housing production, and maintenance, with a focus on developing both affordable housing and supportive housing stock as a much-needed response to ongoing housing instability and homelessness.
A summary of the funding allocation breakdown is provided below:
$150 million for Supportive Housing Production
$150million for Public Housing Maintenance
$50million for Homeownership Assistance to help first-time homebuyers
$125 million for CommonWealth Builder Program to build new affordable homeownership opportunities
$125 million for Affordable Housing Production
Please see the S.2564 Summary and Text for more information on the bill.
The Senate and House both included $600 million for affordable housing but included several different funding amounts for CHAPA’s priorities. Please see a comparison of the spending amounts in the Senate Ways & Means, House, and Governor’s proposals.
CHAPA’s ARPA Priorities
CHAPA is encouraged to see initial investments in many of our ARPA priorities in the Senate’s initial spending plan. As a reminder, CHAPA and its partners have requested $1.683 billion of the Commonwealth’s ARPA fiscal recovery funds be allocated towards affordable housing.
There are still many priorities that need to be considered for the Commonwealth to have the tools it needs to address our housing crisis. We urge the legislature to further consider some of CHAPA’s priorities in its allocation of funding, including the following:
$100M for Housing Rehabilitation
$78M for a Statewide Right to Counsel Program
$50M for Acquisition of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing
$5M for Tenant Outreach and Assistance
What Comes Next?
The Senate will debate S.2564 on Wednesday, November 10. Senators have until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5, to file amendments. CHAPA is working with its partners on potential amendments for the spending package and will follow-up with more details soon, including steps you can take to help strengthen the spending plan for affordable housing.
Once the Senate finishes debate and passes their spending proposal, the House and Senate will work to reconcile the differences between their proposals before sending a final bill to the Governor for his signature.
CHAPA encourages our partners to continue to contact their State Senators and ask them to prioritize CHAPA’s $1.683 billion ARPA priorities for affordable housing. Please see the CHAPA ARPA Advocacy Toolkit for more details.
For any questions about these priorities, please contact Ryan Dominguez at rdominguez@chapa.org or 617-684-4713
On October 26, 2021, the Massachusetts House of Representatives finalized its $3.82 billion plan for spending a majority of the state’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal recovery funding. The plan calls for $1.15 billion to come from last year’s budget surplus and the rest to be taken from the state’s ~$5 billion ARPA fiscal recovery funds allocation. This allows for ~$2.4 billion of the State’s ARPA fiscal recovery dollars to remain unspent and be obligated at a later date.
CHAPA thanks Speaker Mariano, House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz, Housing Committee Chair Arciero, and the all the members of the House for prioritizing $600 million towards affordable housing. Their housing investments are outlined below:
Affordable Housing Investments
The final House spending plan (H.4234) provides $600 million for supportive housing, public housing, homeownership, and affordable housing production and preservation. These investments will provide homeownership aid, housing production, and maintenance, with a focus on developing both affordable housing and supportive housing stock as a much-needed response to ongoing housing instability and homelessness.
A summary of the funding allocation breakdown is provided below:
$150 million for Supportive Housing Production
$150million for Public Housing Maintenance
$100million for Homeownership Assistance to help first-time homebuyers
$100 million for CommonWealth Builder Program to build new affordable homeownership opportunities
$100 million for Affordable Housing Production & Preservation
During the debate of the bill, the House adopted two CHAPA priority amendments that made language changes. The first language change allows funds for creating new affordable rental housing to also be used for preserving existing affordable housing. The second language change allows funds for supportive housing to serve not only individuals experiencing chronic homelessness but also families, youth, and young adults.
CHAPA thanks all the House members who sponsored and co-sponsored our priority amendments.
Unfortunately, several of our priority amendments were not adopted, including funding for a statewide legal assistance program to help residents with low-incomes facing eviction.
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means is expected to release its ARPA spending plan sometime during the week of November 1, followed by the Senate’s debate on the bill.
The Legislature hopes to send a final ARPA spending bill to the Governor by the Thanksgiving recess, starting November 17.
CHAPA encourages our partners to continue to contact their State Senators and ask them to prioritize CHAPA’s $1.683 billion ARPA priorities for affordable housing. Please see the CHAPA ARPA Advocacy Toolkit for more details.
On October 25th, the House Ways and Means Committee and other House leaders released a $3.65 billion plan for spending a majority of the state’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal recovery funding. CHAPA thanks Chairman Michlewitz and the members of the House Ways and Means and Federal Stimulus and Racial Equity Oversight Committees for prioritizing $600 million towards affordable housing. Read more about the House’s proposal on CHAPA’s website.
This Thursday, the House will debate its spending plan (H.4219). We are currently working to strengthen the language of our current affordable housing programs while also expanding investments for housing rehabilitation and a statewide right to counsel program. We have proposed amendments to the spending plan in order to accomplish these goals. More detail about the amendments can be found below.
Please call or email your State Representative today and ask them to co-sponsor the following amendments:
Hello, I am [NAME] from [CITY or TOWN] in the Representative’s district. Housing is the single best investment Massachusetts can make to secure a healthy future for all. Substantial investments to support affordable housing production, preservation, and rehabilitation, public housing, homeownership, supportive housing, and a statewide right to counsel program are important for our recovery for the pandemic. I am requesting that the Representative support and sign on to co-sponsor the following amendments. [LIST THE AMENDMENTS BELOW]. Thank you.
#
Amendment
Sponsor
Description
594
Housing and Eviction Representation Program
Reps. Balser & Day
$78 million for housing stability & homelessness prevention to those at risk of eviction by providing legal assistance to tenants and qualified landlords
349
MA Healthy Homes Initiative
Rep. LeBoeuf
$25 million to support the rehabilitation of homes to address health and safety issues, including lead paint removal & elimination of mold and other health hazards
280
Flexible Housing Pool
Rep. Meschino
Allows funds for supportive housing to serve not only individuals experiencing chronic homelessness but also families, youth, and young adults
827
Homeownership Assistance
Rep. Vargas
Allows funds for homeownership assistance to be used for debt reduction programs, like for paying down student loans, in order to help first-time homebuyers
398
Encouraging the Preservation of Affordable Housing
Reps. Livingstone & Consalvo
Allows funds for creating affordable rental housing to also be used for preserving existing affordable housing
191
CommonWealth Builders
Rep. Holmes
Provides an additional $100 million for the CommonWealth Builders program to create more affordable homeownership opportunities
810
First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
Rep. González
Provides an additional $200 million for down payment or other assistance to help more first-time homebuyers
965
Affordable Housing Production
Rep. McGonagle
Provides an additional $100 million to build new affordable rental housing
#594 – Housing and Eviction Representation Program
Sponsored by Reps. Ruth Balser & Michael Day
Reps. Balser and Day’s amendment provides $78 million for housing stability and homelessness prevention to those at risk of eviction by providing legal assistance to tenants and qualified landlords to improve equity in legal representation. Providing access to an attorney during eviction cases is proven effective at securing fair and favorable outcomes, preventing homelessness, reducing trauma, and creating stronger communities.
#349 – MA Healthy Homes Initiative
Sponsored by Rep. David LeBoeuf
Rep. LeBoeuf’s amendment provides $25 million to support the rehabilitation of homes to address a wide range of health and safety issues, including lead paint removal, replacement of lead water pipes, elimination of mold and other health hazards. The Massachusetts housing stock is among the oldest in the country. These funds will help approximately 1,000 homes across the Commonwealth safe for families, children, and seniors.
#280 – Flexible Housing Pool
Sponsored by Rep. Joan Meschino
Rep. Meschino’s amendment allows funds for supportive housing to serve not only individuals experiencing chronic homelessness but also families, youth, and young adults. This language change will help even more residents access the services they need to stay in a safe, affordable home and avoid homelessness or returning to a shelter.
#827 – First Time Homeownership Assistance
Sponsored by Rep. Andy Vargas
Rep. Vargas’s amendment allows funds for homeownership assistance to be used for debt reduction programs, like for paying down student loans, in order to help first-time homebuyers. The amendment would help break down additional barriers to homeownership that can help lower mortgage interest rates and repair credit.
#398 – Encouraging the Preservation of Affordable Housing
Sponsored by Reps. Jay Livingstone & Rob Consalvo
Reps. Livingstone and Consalvo’s amendment allows funds for creating new affordable rental housing to also be used for preserving existing affordable housing. Preserving our current affordable homes is an important and cost-effective way to ensure that we do not lose any affordable housing as we build new homes.
#191 – CommonWealth Builders
Sponsored by Rep. Russell Holmes
Rep. Holmes’s amendment provides an additional $100 million for the CommonWealth Builders program to create more affordable homeownership opportunities for households with low- and moderate-incomes. This will build more homes to further reduce the racial homeownership and wealth gaps in Massachusetts.
#810 – First Time Homebuyer Assistance
Sponsored by Rep. Carlos González
Rep. González’s amendment provides an additional $200 million to expand resources for first-time homebuyers, targeting those in disproportionately impacted communities. These resources include down payment assistance, mortgage interest subsidy programs, and housing counseling.
#965 – Affordable Housing Production
Sponsored by Rep. Joe McGonagle
Rep. Holmes’s amendment provides an additional $100 million for creating new affordable rental homes in communities across Massachusetts. Together, this investment could create safe, healthy, and affordable homes for a more than 6,000 residents across the Commonwealth
Thank you for your advocacy and for your support of CHAPA’s priorities. If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Dominguez, CHAPA’s Policy Analyst, at 617-684-4713.
