$400 Million in Federal Resources Available for Eviction Diversion Initiative

by | Apr 2, 2021 | Housing News

On April 2, 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that $400 million in new federal funding for the Eviction Diversion Initiative to increase emergency rental and utility assistance to low-income renters. The additional funding, and the flexibility created by federal regulations, will allow the Department of Housing and Community Development to expand aid to more households, provide deeper and longer-term assistance to households, and help households with utility payments.

The new Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds will:

  • Expand Income Eligibility – households making up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) will be eligible for funding (RAFT has an eligibility threshold of 50% AMI).
  • Longer-term Assistance – households may be eligible for up to 12 months of rental arrears (plus an extra 3 months of stipends for future rent if funding allows and need is demonstrated), as well as overdue utilities arrears up to $1,500. All rent and utility arrears must have been accrued after 3/13/20. Currently, RAFT and ERMA can provide up to $10,000 per household for rental arrearages or stipends.
  • Prioritization of funds for those most at risk, including those making less than 50% AMI and those unemployed for 90 days or more. ​

In addition, DHCD, in partnership with MassHousing and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, will launch a new program to allow qualified owners of income-restricted units, as well as Local Housing Authorities, to apply for help directly on behalf of all of their income-eligible residents with past-due rent. The Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance (SHERA) program will expedite relief for eligible tenants while also allowing administering agencies to concentrate on applications from non-subsidized tenants in need of assistance.

Federal resources will also be made available to families who are eligible for Emergency Assistance (EA) Shelter, by coupling ERAP rental assistance benefits with the existing HomeBASE benefit and housing services. This will help those who owe arrears and are at risk of becoming unhoused, and also those who are exiting EA shelter and transitioning into permanent housing. The Administration is also pursuing two pilot initiatives: the first will allow municipalities to provide targeted outreach and hands-on ERAP application support to communities with demonstrated need and hard-to-reach populations, and the second provides targeted outreach strategies to small landlords about the availability of ERAP and other state financial assistance programs.

Baker Administration Awards $13.7 Million for Supportive Housing

by | Apr 1, 2021 | Housing News

On March 31, 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $13.7 million in capital funding and project-based vouchers to support the production and preservation of 67 supportive homes for vulnerable populations, as well as 100 shelter beds.

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), working with the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), will make available approximately $2.6 million in National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) funding, dedicated to households at 30% area median income or less; $10.7 million in state bond funds through the Housing Innovations Fund (HIF) and the Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF); and 57 state project-based housing vouchers.

Supportive housing provides residents with social and health services, including job training, case management, healthcare coordination, addiction recovery resources, and more. All 67 units are affordable to low and extremely low-income people. There are an additional 20 units that are being supported through vouchers only but are eligible to seek additional state funding in the future.

Award Recipients:

37 Wales Street, Boston: The non-profit sponsor, Heading Home, will demolish a structurally compromised building and construct a new, 23-unit building. Located in Dorchester, the project will provide permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless, extremely low-income (ELI) individuals. The project also will be highly energy efficient. DHCD will support this project with subsidy funds and 23 enhanced rental vouchers.

6 Quint Ave, Boston: 6 Quint is an existing, privately owned lodging house in Allston. The non-profit sponsor, Allston-Brighton CDC, will purchase and redevelop this property into 14 supportive housing units targeted toward extremely low-income (ELI) individuals in the advanced stages of addiction recovery. DHCD subsidy funds will support the acquisition and renovation of this project. The Boston Housing Authority also is supporting 6 Quint with project-based rental vouchers.

Ashford Street, Boston: Ashford Street is an existing 12-unit project featuring single-room occupancy (SRO) units as well as studio and one-bedroom units. The sponsor is the non-profit Allston-Brighton CDC. Located in Allston, the project serves extremely low-income (ELI) individuals. DHCD funds will support the rehabilitation and preservation of this project, including improved accessibility, with subsidy funds and four rental vouchers. The Boston Housing Authority also is supporting Ashford Street with 8 rental vouchers.

Father Bill’s Housing Resource Center, Quincy: This project, sponsored by non-profit Father Bill’s and MainSpring (FBMS), consists of a new multi-use facility next to its existing shelter facility. It will incorporate approximately 100 shelter beds, onsite supportive services, a respite care area, food preparation and dining facilities, administrative offices, and a clinic. DHCD will support this project with subsidy funds. The City of Quincy is supporting the project by granting FBMS a 99-year lease at $1 per year and a capital award of $1 million in local housing trust funds.

A Place to Live – 30 Winfield Street, Worcester: The non-profit sponsor, South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), will construct a new three-story building for chronically homeless single adults. The building will consist of 18 studio apartments for at-risk homeless individuals as well as office space for full time case management and a community room. DHCD will support 30 Winfield Street with subsidies and 10 state MRVPs. The City of Worcester is providing $100,000 in local HOME funds as well as project-based subsidies.

Amherst Supportive Studio, Amherst: Sponsored by the non-profit Valley CDC, this project consists of the creation of 28 enhanced single-room occupancy (SRO) units. The building, which will achieve Passive House certification, will include one office for onsite property management and a separate office for a Resident Services Coordinator. The site currently holds a single-family home that will be demolished. The location is highly walkable, less than 1/2 mile to the Town Center and numerous service providers. DHCD will provide the project with 10 MRVP vouchers to assist in the effort to house ten homeless individuals.

New Point Acquisitions, Salem: North Shore Community Development Coalition (NSCDC) will carry out substantial capital improvements, implement supportive services, and convert 18 unrestricted units into affordable units for homeless individuals. Located in the Point neighborhood close to Salem’s center, this project consists of units divided across three, 3-story brick walk-up buildings. The City of Salem is supporting the project with City Home funds of $25,000, CPA funds of $100,000, CDBG funds of $25,000, and 8 rental vouchers.  DHCD will provide the project with 10 enhanced rental vouchers to assist NSCDC’s efforts to house homeless families.  NSCDC will apply to DHCD for subsidy funds in future competitive funding rounds.

Baker Administration Announces Housing Choice Awards & Designations

by | Mar 31, 2021 | Housing News

On March 31, 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $5 million in capital grants to 28 communities under the Housing Choice Initiative and presented 14 communities with Housing Choice designations.

The Administration announced the re-designation of six Housing Choice Communities (Ayer, Burlington, Franklin, Hingham, Newton, and Wrentham), and also announced that eight new communities (Great Barrington, Holliston, Lincoln, Lynn, Maynard, Millbury, Walpole, and Wellesley) have qualified to join the program. This designation recognizes communities that have made progress toward housing development goals and the implementation of housing best practices to encourage sustainable development. The designation makes Housing Choice communities eligible for certain state grants. Today’s announcement brings the total number of current Housing Choice Communities to 78 across the Commonwealth.

The awards will provide nearly $4.3 million to 19 municipalities and over $700,000 to nine small towns across the state to support high-impact, smaller-scale local capital improvement projects that will create new housing units, undertake feasibility studies to expand affordable housing, and design and construct projects such as sidewalks, roads, storm drainage, and water/sewer infrastructure.

Housing Choice Capital Grants

Acton – The Town of Acton will use funding toward a feasibility study and design services for the proposed project at 348-364 Main Street to examine and layout the extension of the sewer main line to the site of Acton Housing Authority senior, rental, affordable housing and construction of sewer and water connections for the proposed Residences at Kelley’s Corner.

Amherst – The Town of Amherst will use funding to construct a fully accessible 8-10′ wide multi-use path along Mill Lane from Route 116 to the recently renovated Groff Park.

Andover – The Town of Andover will use funds to support their Downtown and Municipal Connectivity Project that will provide safe, sustainable and improved connections between an existing and a future affordable housing development.

Ayer – The Town of Ayer will use funding for an engineering survey/design plan, and cost estimate/schedule for a 1,000 linear ft. section of Park Street, the construction of an ADA-compliant sidewalk system, introduction of traffic-calming on-street parking, and re-location of obstructive public utility poles.

Chelsea – The City of Chelsea will use funding for a proposed capital project focused on pedestrian enhancements along Orange Street, directly adjacent to a new, neighborhood scale housing opportunity on two City owned parcels and to an existing Chelsea Housing Authority complex and other dense, residential dwellings.

Easton – The Town of Easton will direct funding toward complete streets improvements (pedestrian, bicycle, & transit accommodations), intersection upgrades, replacement of 3 culverts, & new storm water infrastructure for approximately 1.3 miles of Foundry Street.

Franklin – The Town of Franklin will use funding for engineering services related to the evaluation and design of a new booster pumping station and water main extension, and the removal of an outdated water pumping station.

Lawrence – The City of Lawrence will use funding to modernize and enhance the security systems and cameras at the Lawrence Housing Authority’s exterior and perimeter identified as “hot spots” for crime and the spread of COVID-19.

Littleton – The Town of Littleton will use funding to extend municipal infrastructure to connect to Hager Homestead, a new multi-family senior housing development that includes both market rate and affordable units.

Medfield – The Town of Medfield will direct funding toward engineering and design of intersection improvements at the Route 27 (North Meadows Road) and West Street intersection.

Nantucket – The Town of Nantucket will use funding to support the proposed Waitt Drive roadway connector serving approximately 10 new parcels and a 64-unit affordable housing complex.

Newburyport – As part of the redevelopment of the Brown School, the City of Newburyport will use funding for the removal and replacement of the boiler system as well as toward renovations to other building systems necessary to make adaptive, reuse of the building for housing units and city services.

Northampton – The City of Northampton will use funding for the engineering, pre-construction, and infrastructure necessary to develop 25 affordable housing units at two City sites at the former Northampton State Hospital.

Quincy – The City of Quincy has designated funds to support portions of the design and engineering services for the planned Father Bill’s & MainSpring Housing Resource Center, a new model of housing and services.

Salem – The City of Salem will direct funding toward construction services to replace 1,400 feet of a 100-year-old water main below Bridge Street between Boston Street and Flint Street.

Salisbury – The Town of Salisbury will use grant funds for the Forest Road residential neighborhood infrastructure project to design, permit, and begin construction of 4,200 linear feet of proposed roadway and sidewalk improvements.

Somerville – The City of Somerville will use funds for the Gilman Square Streetscape & Intersection project to re-align the high-speed, uncontrolled intersection of Medford and Pearl Street adjacent to the new MBTA Green Line station.

Taunton – The City of Taunton will direct funds toward the reconstruction of 2,500 linear feet of concrete sidewalks along both sides of Weir Street in the city’s downtown.

Tewksbury – The Town of Tewskbury will use funding to construct sidewalks along Main Street from Colonial Drive to Victor Drive servicing the 192-unit Balsam Place rental project completed in 2018 in addition to 109 40B units at Orchard Street, Fahey Place and Village Green.

CDC Extends Eviction Moratorium through June 30th

by | Mar 29, 2021 | Housing News

On March 29, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended its federal moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent until June 30. This moratorium will help keep millions of renters stably housed during the pandemic and prevent further spread of and deaths from COVID-19. The White House has issued an eviction moratorium fact sheet, which indicates that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will launch a new effort to increase awareness of the moratorium’s protections. The CFPB and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will enforce penalties against landlords who violate the order.

Former Rep. Marcia Fudge Confirmed as HUD Secretary

by | Mar 10, 2021 | Housing News

On Wednesday, March 10th, the Senate voted 66-34 to confirm former Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11) as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Secretary Fudge becomes the first Black woman in decades to head the agency and will be charged with addressing the challenges of America’s housing crisis that have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHAPA and the New England Housing Network look forward to working with Secretary Fudge and HUD to provide safe, healthy, and affordable homes for our families in Massachusetts and across the region.

Congress Passes $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan of 2021

by | Mar 10, 2021 | Housing News

On Wednesday, March 10th, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan of 2021. In total, the bill contains $1.9 trillion in comprehensive COVID-19 relief, including $1,400 stimulus checks, extension of unemployment insurance, and direct aid to state and local governments.

The American Rescue Plan of 2021 also includes the following affordable housing resources:

  • $21.55 billion for the Emergency Rental Assistance program;
  • $9.96 billion to establish a Homeowner Assistance Fund that would be administered by the Treasury Department;
  • $5 billion for homelessness assistance and supportive services;
  • $5 billion in emergency housing vouchers;
  • $800 million to identify and provide children and youth experiencing homelessness with wrap-around services amid the pandemic;
  • $750 million for housing assistance and supportive services for Native Americans;
  • $100 million to assist tenants living in USDA-subsidized developments;
  • $100 million for housing counseling;
  • $39 million for direct loans made under Section 502 and 504; and
  • $20 million for the Fair Housing Initiative Program.

President Biden is expected to sign the legislation into law before the end of the week.