Housing News

This week, the Commonwealth launched the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to assist municipalities in meeting the requirements of the MBTA Communities Act. 
This week, CHAPA submitted a friend of the court (amicus) brief in support of Attorney General Andrea Campbell's lawsuit against Milton to enforce the MBTA Communities Act. The brief was filed by Nixon Peabody on behalf of CHAPA and more than 30 organizations and businesses, representing housing developers, local housing coalitions, faith-based coalitions, disability advocates, service providers, business organizations, community development corporations, realtors, and lenders.
CHAPA applauds the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Senate for the passage of the Affordable Homes Act. This historic legislation will provide $5.1 billion in capital funding authorization and a wide range of housing policies to support the creation and preservation of tens of thousands of homes. CHAPA is proud to have worked closely with the Legislature to advocate for policies that put Massachusetts on the path to adding the 200,000 homes across income levels that people, our communities, and our economy need to thrive.    
This morning, the Housing Bond Bill Conference Committee released the final version of the Affordable Homes Act, which includes $5.1 billion in bond authorization to support housing production.  The House of Representatives and Senate are expected to vote on the legislation later today.   Below is a grid detailing the funding authorizations by program:  
Following the FY 25 Budget Conference Committee reaching agreement on funding for the upcoming fiscal year, the House and Senate were poised on Friday to send a final budget to Governor Healey.  This would mark the first time in several years that the Legislature has passed an on-time budget.
At CHAPA’s 57th Annual Celebration, Howard Cohen and Myra Musicant announced the Musicant Cohen family's gift of $1 million over four years to seed the new CHAPA Housing Policy Action Center! This new research center will build on CHAPA's long history of affordable housing advocacy and policy work to form the next generation of housing policies to put the Commonwealth on the path to a bright future.
Read Mass General's press release on their website for full details.
On Thursday, June 27, the Massachusetts State Senate voted to approve a Bond Bill that makes a historic investment in affordable housing. Like the House of Representatives and Governor Healey, the Senate’s action demonstrated a commitment to providing the funding and policies needed to be intentional about housing affordability, equity, and choice. 
This morning, the Senate will begin debate on the Housing Bond Bill.  In addition to the amendments that CHAPA is strongly supporting, there are several that are problematic.  The Housing Bond Bill is a historic opportunity to help create the 200,000 homes we need and to address the Commonwealth’s housing challenges.  CHAPA calls on the Senate to oppose amendments that would weaken existing housing laws or place unnecessary barriers to housing production.
On Thursday, June 27, the Senate will debate the Housing Bond Bill.     Since the Ways and Means Committee released it earlier this week, senators have filed 333 amendments to the bill.  In keeping with CHAPA's four policy priority areas (People, Production, Planning, and Preservation), we have identified a list of priorities among these.     Please contact your senator and ask them to cosponsor and support these amendments:    People

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