CHAPA has filed an Amicus Brief In support of the eviction moratorium in the matter of Mitchell Matorin v. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development which is being heard in Superior Court. Estimates show that 11,500 residents could be in danger of eviction when CARES Act benefits expire this week. The moratorium pauses most evictions so long as the state of emergency is in effect in Massachusetts. The measure does not exempt tenants from the requirement of paying rent.
Housing News
Today, July 27, the Massachusetts House of Representatives is debating its Economic Development Bill, H.4879, An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth.
The bill contains important provisions that are critical to creating and preserving affordable housing in Massachusetts, supporting our economy, and addressing inequities in housing. These provisions include:
On July 24, Governor Baker signed the COVID-19 state supplemental budget, H.4808. The $1.1 billion budget includes millions in funding for affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and emergency shelter resources. Specifically, the budget contains:
On July 23, 2020, Secretary Ben Carson announced in a press release that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will terminate the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation issued under the Obama administration. The rule required cities and towns that receive federal funding to examine local housing patterns for racial bias and design a plan to address any measurable bias.
On July 21, Governor Baker extended the eviction and foreclosure moratorium by 60 days until October 17, 2020. The moratorium, Chapter 65 of the Acts of 2020, signed into law on April 20, 2020, grants the authority to the Governor to extend the moratorium in increments of up to 90 days.
On July 16, the Legislature sent their final FY2020 COVID-19 Supplemental Budget bill (H.4808) to the Governor for his signature.
On July 17, CHAPA submitted testimony on the Economic Development Bill (H.4854) to the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. The Economic Development Bill contains affordable housing and community development resources. The bill is one of only a few more pieces of legislation expected to pass before the end of the legislative session on July 31.
On July 16, the Right to Counsel pilot bill, S.2785, moved to Senate Ways and Means Committee after being reported out favorably by the Housing Committee. It is urgent that the Senate Ways and Means Committee take action on the bill quickly as the formal legislative session ends on July 31st and as we brace ourselves for thousands of evictions when the moratorium lifts.
Action Needed Today
Per email from FHLBank Boston
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston) is now accepting nominations to fill four vacancies on its 2021 Advisory Council: one seat to represent Connecticut, two seats for Massachusetts, and one seat for Rhode Island. The four vacant seats will be filled by individuals actively involved in providing or promoting housing and community lending in their respective states.
Concerns continue to increase about the threat of a “tsunami of evictions” this fall, when federal and state moratoriums may end. Households are also facing an end to expanded unemployment benefits for those workers who lost their job due to COVID-19. It's estimated that 120,000 households in Massachusetts are in danger of being unable to keep up with rent and mortgage payments. In response to these concerns, that state, housing providers, local communities, and advocates are increasing efforts to prevent evictions and provide emergency rental assistance.