On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, the Massachusetts Legislature’s conference committee released its negotiated spending plan for more than half of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Funds. Their plan includes over $600 million for affordable housing investments.
CHAPA thanks Representatives Michlewitz, Hunt, and Smola, and Senators Rodrigues, Friedman, and O’Connor for prioritizing affordable housing! These housing investments are outlined below:
| Line-Item | Program | House | Senate | Conference |
| 1599-2020 | Homeownership Assistance | $100 million | $50 million | $65 million |
| 1599-2021 | Homeownership Production | $100 million | $125 million | $115 million |
| 1599-2022 | Rental Production | $100 million | $125 million | $115 million |
| 1599-2023 | Supportive Housing | $150 million | $150 million | $150 million |
| 1599-2024 | Public Housing | $150 million | $150 million | $150 million |
| 1599-2035 | Green Energy Retrofitting | – | $10 million | $6.5 million |
Detailed summary of line-item language for Conference Report on ARPA bill
House and Senate Leaders have noted that the House will take up the bill Thursday and the Senate is planning to take up the bill on Friday in informal sessions. Given that the legislature is only meeting in informal sessions, the bill will need unanimous support to move to the Governor’s desk.
In the meantime, CHAPA is preparing recommendations to the Governor to ask the administration to provide the strongest support for critical affordable housing resources to secure a healthy future for all. (Check back for more updates.)