Tomorrow, March 29th, the Massachusetts Senate will vote on the Housing Bond Bill, S.2368 An Act Financing the Production and Preservation of Housing for Low and Moderate Income Res
Housing News
The final FY2018 omnibus spending bill, passed by Congress and signed by the President on March 23, includes significant increases in funding for affordable housing and community development programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The legislation also expands and strengthens the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).
Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will vote on An Act Regulating Short-term Rentals, H.4314, to tax and regulate short-term rentals, such as Airbnb. This legislation also creates an opportunity to dedicate revenue to the production and preservation of affordable housing!
On March 23, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Housing and Redevelopment Officials (MassNAHRO) announced Donna Brown Rego as its new Executive Director. Rego has more than 23 years of experience working at MassNAHRO as Member Services Coordinator, Deputy Director, and, most recently, Acting Executive Director. She replaces former Executive Director Tom Connelly, who retired in October 2017 after 38 years as director.
CHAPA is hiring a Senior Policy Analyst to work on federal and state housing policy issues, including drafting and analyzing legislation, writing policy papers and briefs, and evaluating research and data to inform CHAPA’s work.
Click here for the full job description and application instructions!
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) posted its Draft Moving to Work (MTW) Program Plan for FY2019. To download the FY19 Draft Plan, click here.
The MTW Plan summarizes the planned activities and uses of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program that DHCD administers for the upcoming year. DHCD will accept written comments on the FY19 Draft Plan through Thursday, April 6, 2018. Written comments should be addressed to:
On March 9th, the Baker-Polito Administration opened the process for Massachusetts cities and towns to apply for federal designation as an Opportunity Zone. The Opportunity Zone program will serve as an economic development tool for municipalities and will incentivize investment in low income areas by offering favorable federal tax treatment for investors. The program is designed to drive increased investment in local opportunities, with the potential to support business growth, housing, and commercial construction.
On March 9th, the Baker-Polito Administration filed an Economic Development Bill, An Act Enhancing Opportunities for All, H.4297. The legislation provides over $610 million in capital authorizations, including $300 million in capital reauthorization for the MassWorks infrastructure program.
We are at a critical moment for efforts to include the Cantwell-Hatch Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (S.548) to strengthen and expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in FY2018 omnibus spending legisl
On March 6th, CHAPA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) opposing the delay of the Assessment of Fair Housing requirement.