Housing Bond Bill - Oppose Amendments That Will Hurt Housing

This morning, the Senate will begin debate on the Housing Bond Bill.  In addition to the amendments that CHAPA is strongly supporting, there are several that are problematic.  The Housing Bond Bill is a historic opportunity to help create the 200,000 homes we need and to address the Commonwealth’s housing challenges.  CHAPA calls on the Senate to oppose amendments that would weaken existing housing laws or place unnecessary barriers to housing production.  

Please call your state senator and ask them to reject the following amendments:

#17, 225 – Makes 40B, the Affordable Housing Law, Less Effective
For decades, Chapter 40B, the Affordable Housing Law, has been our most important tool to produce homes that are affordable for low income households.  These amendments would designate additional types of housing as “affordable” and exempt communities from an obligation to create homes that are affordable.  If passed, they would only serve to make 40B a less effective tool in producing the housing we need.    

#25 – Adds Unnecessary Appeal Criteria to MBTA Communities Law
This amendment directs EOHLC to promulgate regulations to establish an appeal process from the requirements of Chapter 3A based on factors that are outside the scope of the law.  The MBTA Communities Law does not require cities and towns to provide water or sewer infrastructure.  If passed, this amendment would only delay and complicate the implementation of the MBTA Communities Law without providing a benefit to impacted municipalities.  

#26 – Delays Implementation of the MBTA Communities Law
This amendment changes the deadlines for municipal compliance with Chapter 3A.  Massachusetts has faced significant housing challenges for years and cannot afford to wait any longer to address them.  Given the acuity of our housing challenges, the number of communities that have already adopted their zoning, the extensive engagement and technical assistance provided to cities and towns, and the length of time needed to create the homes we need, this amendment is not only unnecessary, but is harmful.

#27 – Burdens Cities and Towns with MBTA Communities Law Impact Reports
This amendment would place an unfunded burden on municipalities to provide EOHLC with analysis as to the impact of compliance with the MBTA Communities Act on housing construction, local infrastructure, and local schools – information that is not readily available and would be difficult to produce.  If passed, this amendment would place a significant strain on scarce municipal resources without a clear benefit.

#136, 277, and 296 – Limits Eligible Bidders for Public Housing Projects
These amendments limit eligible bidders on public housing capital projects to only contractors and subcontractors with apprenticeship programs.  If passed, this amendment would eliminate fair competition on public housing projects, reduce the already small pool of bidders, increase the cost of work, result in uncompleted jobs, and adversely affect residents’ living conditions.    

#158 – Weakens the Community Preservation Act
This amendment alters the fundamental housing goal of CPA (the production of new affordable housing and the preservation of existing affordable housing) by allowing funds to be used for unrelated housing rehabilitation projects.  If passed, this amendment would restrict already-scarce housing resources and hamper the ability to expand the number of affordable homes in Massachusetts.