House Passes Data Collection Bill
Earlier today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that would require the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to report on its affordable housing programs. CHAPA has worked closely with the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston and the House and Senate lead sponsors, Senatory Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) and Representative Jim Marzilli (D-Arlington), to pass the bill. The House legislation, crafted with the leadership of House Ways and Means Chairman Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and House Housing Chairman Kevin Honan (D-Boston), represents a compromise between DHCD and the Fair Housing Center (the compromise was facilitated by CHAPA). The legislation would require DHCD to gather, compile, and report data on state and federally assisted housing, including, but not limited to, the type and location of housing, the subsidy source, and race, and family size of the occupants. The bill must pas! s the Senate before it can be sent to the governor. Though passage is not assured, the Senate has acted favorably on similar legislation, and there is cautious optimism that it will advance the legislation promptly. A copy of the bill (H.4978) , as reported by the House Committee on Ways and Means, is available here.
Loan Document Simplification with MassDocs
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recently hosted an event to unveil MassDocs, which will help simplify the loan closing process. A collaboration between DHCD, Massachusetts Housing Partnership, MassHousing, and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), the system will allow developers to use one set of loan documents for multiple state programs. Additional information can be found at: www.massdocs.com/hdsportal.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, September 27, 8:00 - 10:30 a.m., Release of Greater Boston Housing Report Card, The Boston Foundation.
Thursday, September 28, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Section 8 Voucher Program Training, Crowne Plaza, Worcester.
Friday, October 20, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Building Strong Communities Using Affordable Homeownership, cosponsored by CHAPA, MHP, DHCD, and MNPHA, The Lantana, Randolph.
Tuesday, October 24, 5:30 p.m., CHAPA Annual Dinner, Boston Convention Center, Boston.
Thursday, November 2, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Building Strong Communities Using Affordable Homeownership, cosponsored by CHAPA, MHP, DHCD and MNPHA, Marriott Springhill, Devens.
CHAPA Regional Meetings
During October, CHAPA will hold 8 regional meetings at various locations across the Commonwealth. There is no charge to attend the meetings, and they are open to everyone (members and non-members). You are encouraged to register in advance. For a complete listing of the meeting dates and locations and for more information, click here.
