Housing News

On May 23, the Massachusetts State Senate voted to approve its final budget proposal for fiscal year 2020. Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) thanks the Senate for prioritizing investments in affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development that will help families succeed and build thriving communities.

On May 23, the Massachusetts State Senate concluded debate on its FY2020 state budget. For a table showing the final funding amounts for CHAPA's budget priorities, click here. During budget debate, the Senate approved additional funding for several of CHAPA's budget priorities through amendments:

On May 7, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its $42.7 billion state budget proposal for FY2020. CHAPA thanks Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and other members of the Ways and Means Committee for their strong investments in affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development programs!

On May 7, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its FY2020 state budget proposal.The proposal provides increased funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, the Alternative Housing Voucher Program, and Public Housing - three of CHAPA's top priorities for affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development resources. The budget also proposes an increase housing and services for homeless youth.

On May 7, the Baker Administration announced supportive housing awards to produce and preserve 147 units of supportive housing for vulnerable populations, including homeless families and individuals, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals with disabilities.  

United States Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, released draft legislation, entitled, “Housing is Infrastructure act of 2019.” Chairwoman Waters announced the legislation at a

The multi-step process for Congress to approve an annual appropriations bill kicked off in April, setting the stage for bicameral, bi-partisan, and intraparty negotiations to fund the federal government.

In April, The Federal Housing Finance Agency released the 2018 national Housing Trust Fund (HTF) annual allocation to HUD. The HTF targets funding to help build and preserve affordable housing with a particular emphasis on rental housing for extremely low-income households. The first allocation from the trust fund was disbursed to the states in 2016.

On April 17th the Trump Administration released a proposed a rule to prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing federal housing assistance like public housing and section 8. While details of the rule are not available during the 15-day Congressional review period, the rule will become public in the coming days, after which there will be 60 days for public comment. CHAPA will submit comments.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Fair Housing Month Forum, “Planning for Fair Housing Up Front” in Newton on April 29th.