Draft 25-26 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) Released

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) has released the draft 2025-2026 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP determines how federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and other affordable housing finance programs are distributed. It outlines eligibility requirements, scoring systems, and funding priorities, ensuring resources are allocated to support critical housing needs across Massachusetts. This draft incorporates significant updates, including new climate resiliency standards, an increased percentage of Extremely Low Income (ELI) units, specific points for rural development, and an increased focus on accessibility.

Public Hearing

HLC will hold a public hearing on the draft QAP at a date and time to be determined. We will provide details and access instructions as soon as they are available. 

Key Updates in the Draft QAP
This year’s updates reflect evolving state priorities and federal guidance. Highlights include:

• Climate Goals Integration: Mandatory decarbonization and climate-resilient standards.
• Increased Funding Limits: Higher per-unit credit limits and expanded long-term funding authority.
• Extremely Low-Income (ELI) Allocation Increase: Increased minimum percentage from 13% to 16%, addressing critical affordability needs.
• Responsible Contractor Guidelines: New standards, effective January 1, 2025,  to promote fair labor practices and ensure compliance with wage and safety standards.
• Green Standards Enforcement: Mandatory Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) certification for all projects.
• Accessibility Enhancements: Expanded criteria and scoring incentives for universal design and specialized features.
• Rural Development Prioritization: New scoring category to support housing in rural areas.

Next Steps
We encourage all stakeholders to review the draft QAP and share feedback during the comment period. CHAPA has developed a slide deck that includes a high-level overview of the changes touched on above. A comprehensive summary is also in development and will be shared within the coming days.  In addition, CHAPA will be submitting organizational comments to contribute to the review process and address key priorities identified in the draft.