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Senate Passes FY26 Budget: Progress on Housing Priorities, Key Gaps for Conference Committee to Resolve
The Massachusetts Senate passed its $57.9 billion FY2026 budget last week, adding $43.5 million through more than 300...
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Housing News
Sen. Edwards & Rep. Arciero Named Chairs of Housing Committee
On February 15, the Senate President appointed Senator Lydia Edwards as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing for the 2023–2024 Legislative Session. The following day, the Speaker of the House appointed Representative Jim Arciero as the House Chair of the...
DOER Makes $50 Million Available for Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Decarbonization Grant Program
On February 16, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) announced it will make up to $50 million available in grant funding for decarbonization retrofits of existing low- or moderate-income residential buildings. Projects must seek to implement energy...
HUD Publishes Proposed Rule on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
On February 9, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a proposed rule on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) through a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Comments on the proposed rule are due by April 10, 2023. CHAPA is preparing...
Governor Healey Files Supplemental Budget for Shelter Expansion & Food Aid
Governor Healey filed a $282 million supplemental budget bill on January 30th, for the expansion of emergency shelter services and to prevent the free school meals program from running out of money. According to the Governor's press...
Electrical Code Changed to Solve Electric Stove Nuisance Tripping
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....
Governor Healey Files Immediate Needs Bond Bill with Authorizations for Affordable Housing
On January 19, Governor Healey filed a $987 million Immediate Needs Bond Bill that seeks critical authorization for key housing and economic development programs. Bill H.51 An Act financing the immediate economic revitalization, community development, and housing...
Community Engagement Technical Assistance for MBTA Communities
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...
President Biden Signs FY2023 Federal Budget
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...
DOER Releases Draft Regulation for Fossil Fuel Free Building Demonstration Program
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. The demonstration program allows up to 10 cities and towns to adopt and...
Favorable Decision from the SJC on Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing Development under Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permits
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...