Housing News

The 21st consecutive (and 1st virtual) Affordable Housing Development Competition drew to a close with the recent announcement that Lancaster Commons, a proposal for a multi-phased, mixed-use project with 48 affordable rental units that aims to rehabilitate and reactivate an underutilized rural site of historic significance in Lancaster, received the first-place prize.

On May 11, 2021, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its FY2022 state budget proposal. The proposal provides increased funding for many of CHAPA's affordable housing budget priorities, including for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, the Alternative Housing Voucher Program, Public Housing, Housing Consumer Education Centers, and DMH rental subsidies.

On May 5, 2021, D.C. District Judge Dabney Friedrich vacated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) federal eviction moratorium, which was set to expire on June 30, 2021. The federal judge ruled that the Public Health Service Act did not give the CDC the legal authority to impose the moratorium.

On April 23, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) posted proposed amendments to the 2021-2022 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The proposed amendments are to reflect the affordable housing funding competitions for 2021 and to change competitive scoring requirements related to development teams and minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) policies, practices, and procurement.

During the early hours of April 29, the Massachusetts House of Representatives concluded debate on its FY2022 state budget proposal. The budget includes strong investments in CHAPA’s affordable housing priorities. The House proposed increases for Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), Alternative Housing Voucher Program, Public Housing, Housing Consumer Education Centers, the Tenancy Preservation Program, and DMH Rental Subsidies.

On April 30, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) posted a Request for Responses (RFR) for a Fair Housing Initiative.  DHCD is soliciting proposals from eligible respondents to provide fair housing advocacy and services across Massachusetts. DHCD’s primary objectives for this Initiative are:

On April 14th, the House Committee on Ways and Means released its state budget proposal for FY2022. CHAPA thanks House Speaker Mariano, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and other members of the Ways and Means Committee for their strong investments in affordable housing and community development programs. Read more about the budget proposal on CHAPA's website.  

On April 14, 2021, the House Committee on Ways and Means released its FY2022 state budget proposal. The proposal provides increased funding for many of CHAPA's affordable housing budget priorities, including for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, the Alternative Housing Voucher Program, Public Housing, Housing Consumer Education Centers, the Tenancy Preservation Program, and DMH rental subsidies.

CHAPA Virtual Housing Day 2021 Materials We're excited to come together virtually with housing advocates to support the policies and resources needed for everyone in Massachusetts to have a safe, healthy, and affordable home. To join us at Housing Day on April 6th from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M., please use this Zoom link.

On April 2, 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that $400 million in new federal funding for the Eviction Diversion Initiative to increase emergency rental and utility assistance to low-income renters. The additional funding, and the flexibility created by federal regulations, will allow the Department of Housing and Community Development to expand aid to more households, provide deeper and longer-term assistance to households, and help households w