Housing News

In November 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration, MassHousing, Citizens’ Housing & Planning Association (CHAPA), and the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Organizations (MACDC) announced a five-point Eviction Diversion Pledge, a commitment from Massachusetts property owners and operators to working with tenants facing financial difficulties because of the pandemic and supporting housing stability during the ongoing fight against the spread of COVID-19.

On behalf of Jennifer Gilbert and the trustees and partners, the Kuehn Foundation is pleased to announce that the foundation will recruit another cohort of Fellows for its two-year practice-based, paid fellowship. The Kuehn Fellowship is open to recent masters or professional level graduates for whom it provides a distinctive entre into the world of affordable housing and community development. 

Governor Baker signed into law Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2020 on December 31, 2020, that establishes certain eviction protections and related policy changes. These provisions can help tenants better navigate through the complexities of eviction proceedings and help increase awareness of existing housing payment programs.

There are only a few days left for the Legislature to pass the Economic Development Bill with zoning reforms that will help create more homes in Massachusetts!  Please call or email your State Representative and Senator TODAY to ask them to speak with House Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka about including zoning reform in the Economic Development Bill!

On Monday January 21st, Congress passed a combined omnibus appropriations bill and COVID-19 relief package. In total, the bill contains $2.3 trillion, which includes $1.4 trillion to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 and $900 billion in economic relief.

On Friday, December 11, 2020, Gov. Charlie Baker signed the $45.9 billion state budget for the remainder of the state's fiscal year 2021 (FY2021). For each of CHAPA's priorities, the budget contains the increased appropriation amount from the previous year's budget. Summary of CHAPA Budget Priorities. 

President-elect Joe Biden has selected US Representative Marcia Fudge (OH) as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Rep. Fudge has represented Ohio's 11th Congressional District since 2008. The Congresswoman serves on the House Administration, Agriculture, and Education and Labor committees and previously chaired the Congressional Black Caucus. If confirmed, Rep. Fudge would become the second Black woman to lead HUD.  

 

Yesterday evening, December 3, the conference committee released the FY2021 conference budget.

On November 23, the FY2021 state budget was assigned to a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the versions passed by the House and Senate. The members of the conference committee are Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, Chairman Michael Rodrigues, Representative Denise Garlick, Senator Cindy Friedman, Representative Todd Smola, and Senator Patrick O’Connor. The conference committee is expected to finalize the budget quickly before sending it to the Governor for his signature.