Housing News
Read CHAPA's May Housing Briefs for state and federal housing updates and recent research, including a new CHAPA report, The Use of Chapter 40R in Massachusetts: A 2018 Update.
HUD announced state funding allocations for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs. In 2018, Massachusetts will receive $100.4 million for CDBG and $34.2 million for HOME. Both programs will receive over $9 million more than 2017 funding levels.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is proposing wide-ranging changes to the regulations governing the Federal Home Loan Banks’ Affordable Housing Program (AHP).
On May 7, HUD announced $266.8 million in allocations from the National Housing Trust Fund to states. Massachusetts will receive $5.7 million in 2018 from the Trust Fund. The total allocation for the United States is a 22% increase from the 2017 allocation and a 45% increase from the inaugural 2016 allocation. For a full list of allocations to state, click here.
On April 25, the Trump Administration, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), unveiled draft legislation to raise rents and impose work requirements on low income households receiving housing assistance through programs including public housing or Section 8.
On April 26, the Massachusetts House of Representative's concluded its FY2019 budget debate by passing its $41 billion budget proposal. After four days of debate, the House added $81.3 million to the budget through amendments.
During the debate, four amendments on CHAPA's budget priorities were adopted:
ACTION ALERT: Ask Your State Representative to Support Affordable Housing Amendments in House Budget
Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives begins debate on its FY2019 State Budget. Help us strengthen affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development programs in the budget by contacting your State Representative today!
On April 19, Governor Baker submitted the state's Opportunity Zone designations to the U.S. Treasury Department to encourage long-term investment in eligible Massachusetts communities. Created as part of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Opportunity Zone program presents an opportunity for private, tax-free investment into areas of economic need.
On April 19th, Janelle Chan was named Undersecretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development in Governor Charlie Baker’s administration. Undersecretary Chan is the former Deputy Chief of Real Estate at the MBTA, former Director of Asian Community Development Corporation, and former CHAPA Board Member. CHAPA congratulates the new Undersecretary and looks forward to working with her in her new role.