Housing News

Late on Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives passed the 2023 Housing Bond Bill by a vote of  145-13.   During a debate that started at 1pm, representatives considered more than 300 amendments to the legislation and made significant improvements to what is now a $6.2 billion housing proposal.   Among the changes to the bill include:

Happy House Bond Bill Day to everyone!   Today is the day!  The House of Representatives is scheduled to convene today at 11, with debate and roll call votes on the Ways and Means Committee's draft of the Housing Bond Bill to begin at 1.  As a final reminder, all are invited to join us at 12:30 in front of the State House on Beacon Street across from Boston Common at 12:30 for collective advocacy on the legislation.    

One more day until the full House consideration of the Housing Bond Bill and one day until CHAPA's advocacy action at the State House!  (Not to mention one day until CHAPA's Annual Celebration ...)  

(Don't forget to register for CHAPA's Housing Bond Bill Advocacy Action on Wednesday at 12:30pm!)   On Monday morning, the wait for the Legislature's response to the Governor's Affordable Homes Act came to an end.  The House Ways and Means Committee released their version of the 2023 Housing Bond Bill.    

As if next week wasn't going to be exciting enough with the CHAPA Annual Celebration on Wednesday, it got taken up a notch when House leadership announced that the Housing Bond Bill will be on the floor the same day.    

CHAPA is now seeking applicants for the MBTA Communities Manager and Senior Policy Associate roles. Review the job descriptions and how to apply on CHAPA's Jobs Board.

Late last Thursday evening (or technically very early Friday morning), the Senate passed its final FY 2025 budget.  When the Legislature began consideration of the budget earlier this spring, many had grave concerns about the impact that lower than expected revenue figures would have on housing line items.  Fortunately, both the House and the Senate protected these programs from funding cuts, and in most cases increased their bottom lines.    

On Tuesday, the Senate is scheduled to begin its consideration of the FY 2025 state operating budget.  Earlier this month, senators filed 1,100 amendments to the Senate Ways and Means proposal, including CHAPA's priority amendments below.  Please contact your senator and ask them to support the inclusion of these provisions in the final Senate budget that is expected to pass later this week:

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Last month, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, along with members of the Housing Advisory Council, kicked off a series of listening sessions across Massachusetts to inform the development of a Statewide Housing Plan.  To date, EOHLC has held four sessions in Lynn, Springfield, Dartmouth, and Brockton.  Between now and June 4, there will be ten more, including two virtual opportunities to provide input.