DHCD Interagency Agreement Regarding Housing Opportunities for Families with Children - February 21, 2014

Post date
February 21, 2014
DHCD Interagency Agreement
Regarding Housing Opportunities for Families with Children
 
This Interagency Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of the 17th day of January, 2014 by and between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting by and through its Department of Housing and Community Development ("DHCD"), the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund Board ("MHP"), the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (in its own right and in its capacity as Project Administrator designated by DHCD under the Guidelines for Housing Programs in Which Funding is Provided By Other Than a State Agency, “MassHousing”), the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (“MassDevelopment”) and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (“CEDAC”). DHCD, MHP, MassHousing, MassDevelopment and CEDAC are each referred to herein as a “State Housing  Agency” and collectively as the “State Housing Agencies”. 
 
Background 
 
A. DHCD’s 2013 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (“AI”) includes action steps to improve housing opportunities for families, including families with children, the latter being a protected class pursuant to fair housing laws, including the federal Fair Housing Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.) and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B. In order to respond to development patterns in the Commonwealth that disparately impact and limit housing options for families with children, such steps include requiring a diversity of bedroom sizes in Affordable Production Developments that are not age-restricted and that are funded, assisted or approved by the State Housing Agencies to ensure that families with children are adequately served. 
 
B. The State Housing Agencies have agreed to conduct their activities in accordance with the action steps set forth in the AI. 
 
C. This Agreement sets forth certain agreements and commitments among the State Housing Agencies with respect to this effort. 
 
To read the full Agreement please click here.