On January 26, the State Fire Marshal published an Emergency Amendment to the existing Massachusetts Electrical Code that will allow the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) requirement to be waived due to nuisance tripping after a review by a qualified person.
Housing News
On January 19, Governor Healey filed a $987 million Immediate Needs Bond Bill that seeks critical authorization for key housing and economic development programs.
CHAPA is pleased to announce that we are now providing technical assistance for community engagement to all interested MBTA Communities seeking to comply with the Multi-family Zoning Requirements for MBTA Communities (Section 3A). Municipal staff, elected leaders, and board members are encouraged to apply. Participating communities will be divided into cohorts with comparable communities. These cohorts will meet monthly for direct support and peer to peer learning.
On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the $1.7 trillion FY2023 federal budget to keep the government running through the end of the budget year in September 2023. According to PBS NewsHour, the omnibus spending bill contains $772.5 billion in spending for domestic programs, a roughly 6% increase. Spending on defense programs rose by about 10% to $858 billion.
The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) published a draft regulation and a model rule for public comment on the pilot program for the Municipal Fossil Fuel Free Building Demonstration Program.
On December 14, 2022, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued their opinion in the case of TERRENCE MARENGI et al vs. 6 FOREST ROAD, LLC et al (Marengi), in favor of the application of the bond provision to the comprehensive permit law. Marengi involves a group of abutters chal
December 14, 2022 — BOSTON — A new report from a partnership of housing groups finds that Massachusetts could provide affordable housing for 240,000 families by investing in a statewide expansion of the state’s housing voucher program. The report, entitled A Right to Rental Assistance in Massachusetts, estimates that making the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) available to all eligible households would cost $3.2 billion annually.
On December 8, the Baker Administration awarded $93.4 million to build 790 homes in 14 communities. The award included $29.4 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Governor Baker announced the awards as part of a housing roundtable discussion, which included CHAPA’s CEO Rachel Heller, about the Baker-Polito Administration’s progress in expanding access to housing in Massachusetts over the past eight years.
CHAPA is hiring an additional Municipal Engagement Program Associate. The Municipal Engagement Program Associate will work to build support for affordable housing production and bolster efforts to expand housing opportunities at the local level in communities across the Commonwealth.
Please find more details and how to apply on our Jobs Board posting. Applications are due by January 6, 2023.
Governor-Elect Maura Healey and Attorney General-Elect Andrea Campbell named two members of CHAPA’s staff to their transition teams. Rachel Heller, CEO, will serve on the Healey-Driscall transition. Eric Shupin, Director of Public Policy, will work on Campbell’s transition. Heller and Shupin will advise the incoming Governor and Attorney General, respectively, on affordable housing policy as they prepare to take office in January.