MA House Passes FY26 Budget, Select Housing Adds Approved, Advocacy Turns to Senate for Additional Support

by | May 1, 2025 | Featured News, Housing News, Uncategorized

On Wednesday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted to approve a $61.5 billion state budget for fiscal year 2026, capping off two and a half days of debate and the adoption of seven consolidated amendment packages. The final vote was 151 to 6, with the budget now heading to the Senate for consideration.

This year saw a near-record number of amendments filed, with more than 1,600 submitted, reflecting strong interest in shaping the budget across many issue areas, including housing. To manage the volume, House leadership grouped amendments by topic into consolidated packages, which are developed internally and voted on as a single block. Housing amendments were included in Consolidated Amendment C, alongside public safety and judiciary items.

The final budget includes several positive housing developments. Just over $1.5 million was added to housing line items through the amendment process, primarily in the form of local earmarks. Highlights include $200,000 in increased funding for Saving Toward Affordable Sustainable Homeownership (STASH) and a $500,000 earmark for the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA) to support permanent supportive housing. Harmful amendments that would have weakened or repealed key housing and zoning tools such as the MBTA Communities Act and Chapter 40B were also defeated, preserving critical pathways to build and preserve affordable homes.

At the same time, several high-priority housing proposals were not included at this stage. Amendments to increase funding for crucial programs such as MRVP, AHVP, HCEC, and the Fair Housing Trust Fund had strong support but were left out of the final package.

As the budget moves to the Senate, advocates are calling on lawmakers to take the next opportunity to invest in the tools we know work, including rental assistance, fair housing enforcement, and community-based supports.

The full Consolidated Amendment C can be viewed here. 

CHAPA, Partners, and Lawmakers Rally for MRVP at Cookie Day

by | Mar 16, 2025 | Uncategorized

On March 12, CHAPA joined housing advocates, constituents, and nonprofit organizations for Cookie Day, an annual event pushing for increased investment and stability in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). Led by Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants, the event was organized in partnership with EMPath, 2Life Communities, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, The Boston Foundation, and many others. It highlighted the urgent need for expanded rental assistance, as MRVP currently supports nearly 11,000 low-income households, yet rising housing costs continue to leave many struggling to afford rent.

Constituents and advocates shared firsthand how MRVP has provided security, opportunity, and a path toward financial independence, while lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the program. Speakers included Joint Committee on Housing Chairs Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Richard Haggerty, MRVP Codification bill sponsors Rep. Adrian Madaro and Sen. Joan Lovely, and Senator Lydia Edwards, a longtime housing advocate. Edwards, who was recognized for her efforts and honored with the “Big Cookie” award, emphasized the program’s role in preventing displacement and keeping communities strong.

After the speaking program, advocates met with legislators throughout the State House, delivering house-shaped cookies as a reminder of the need for sustained support for the program. Advocates commended legislators for recent increases to MRVP. They also urged lawmakers to allocate $300 million to MRVP in FY26, which would assist approximately 2,300 more low-income households, and to codify the program to ensure long-term certainty for tenants and property owners. Cookie Day reinforced that housing stability through MRVP plays a crucial role in keeping Massachusetts a place where people of all incomes can live and thrive