Governor Baker filed a supplemental budget bill on February 18th, that seeks to spend $2.4 billion to keep COVID-19 response efforts going and make investments in areas like housing, human services, childcare, and others. The bill proposes $2.4 billion in spending with $1.6 billion allocated from the surplus revenues in FY2022, with the rest allocated from federal funds and reimbursements.
Housing News
On February 2nd, the Joint Committee on Housing, chaired by Senator Keenan and Representative Arciero, favorably reported out four of CHAPA priority bills. The following bills will likely move to the respective Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means chaired by Senator Rodrigues and Representative Michlewitz.
On January 26, 2022, Governor Baker released his $48.6 billion state budget for FY2023 (H.2), which begins on July 1, 2022. According to Governor Baker, the budget would promote growth and support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 while increasing total state spending by approximately 0.5% above Fiscal Year 2022.
On December 15, 2021, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released draft guidelines on the new state law requiring MBTA communities to establish zoning for multifamily housing.
On January 1, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) changed the application process for emergency rental assistance. Among the changes, applicants must now have at least one month of rent arrears to become eligible rather than receiving assistance in advance. Applicants seeking another 3-month rent stipend will also need to fall one month behind on rent then reapply, replacing a simpler recertification process for additional rent assistance.
Today, Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) announced their selection of seven communities for their Municipal Engagement Initiative (MEI) 2022 cohort. MEI provides support and technical assistance to communities in their efforts to create coalitions in support of affordable housing. With local expertise at the forefront, MEI seeks to help municipalities develop unique, actionable strategies that work within the context of each community.
On December 15, 2021, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released draft guidelines for the new multifamily zoning requirement for MBTA communities. Along with the guidelines, DHCD also posted information about technical assistance, upcoming webinars, the public comment period, and other supplemental information.
On December 13, 2021, Governor Baker signed the spending bill into law for more than half of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Funds. The law provides over $600 million in affordable housing investments, including funds to create new rental and homeownership opportunities, build supportive housing, and restore public housing. The Governor vetoed language that included reporting requirements but left spending amounts intact.