On July 26, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the 2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Awards, providing more than $32 million across 41 projects, which will benefit 59 communities. These awards will enable communities to address local needs by pursuing a variety of housing, community, and economic development projects.
Housing News
July 26, 2018
On July 25, the Massachusetts Senate passed an Economic Development Bill (S.2625). The bill contains a $200 million capital re-authorization for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to support economic development and affordable housing projects.
The Senate also adopted two amendments supported by CHAPA:
July 26, 2018
On July 25, Governor Baker announced the 2018 rental housing awards, which will provide $57 million in direct subsidies for 19 projects to fund the development, renovation and preservation of housing opportunities throughout Massachusetts.
July 25, 2018
This afternoon, the Massachusetts Senate will vote on an Economic Development Bill (S.2625).
July 23, 2018
On July 10th, the United States House of Representatives passed the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act. This bill authorizes the HUD secretary to carry out a demonstration program to encourage families receiving housing choice vouchers to move to lower-poverty areas and expand access to opportunity areas. The bill had broad bipartisan support with a vote of 368-19.
July 20, 2018
With the cost of housing continuing to rise across the country, U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) recently introduced legislation to provide rent relief for working families struggling to pay their bills. The Rent Relief Act would create a new refundable federal tax credit for renters who pay more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Senator Harris was joined in the introduction by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
July 19, 2018
On July 18, the Massachusetts House and Senate approved the final FY2019 state budget, released by the conference committee earlier in the day. The $41.88 billion budget includes strong support for affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development programs, with increases included for many CHAPA priorities.
The Governor has 10 days to send back the budget to the Legislature with his veto message and sign the budget into law. This will leave the House and Senate with only a few days to override any vetoes before the legislative session ends on July 31.
July 12, 2018
Read CHAPA's July Housing Briefs for state and federal housing updates and recent research and reports.
July 10, 2018
On July 10, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed an Economic Development Bill. The bill contains a $300 million capital re-authorization for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to support economic development and affordable housing projects.
July 10, 2018
This afternoon, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will vote on an Economic Development Bill (H.4714). CHAPA is supporting three amendments to the bill that will help rehabilitate public housing, protect housing assistance programs, and promote economic mobility.