CHAPA Statement on Passage of the Affordable Homes Act
CHAPA applauds the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Senate for the passage of the Affordable Homes Act. This historic legislation will provide $5.1 billion in capital funding authorization and a wide range of housing policies to support the creation and preservation of tens of thousands of homes. CHAPA is proud to have worked closely with the Legislature to advocate for policies that put Massachusetts on the path to adding the 200,000 homes across income levels that people, our communities, and our economy need to thrive.
The Affordable Homes Act includes significant increases in funding authorizations to meet the range of the Commonwealth’s housing challenges. The bill includes $2.2 billion in bond authorization for state public housing, a doubling of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund ($800 million) and the Housing Innovations Fund ($200 million), and a nearly tripling of the Housing Stabilization Fund ($425 million) which included $10 million for the Small Properties Acquisition Fund. The legislation also included investments in programs that had not before been included in a bond bill, including $100 million for the CommonWealth Builder Program, $50 million for the Momentum Fund to accelerate the completion of mixed-income multifamily housing, $275 million for Green Housing, and $175 million for Housing Choice Infrastructure.
Beyond the funding authorizations, the bill creates and expands tax credit programs that will help spur much-needed production. The Affordable Homes Act creates a new $10 million annual Homeownership Production Tax Credit, a vitally important tool to help create opportunities for first-time home buyers to become owners, and increases the Community Investment Tax Credit to $15 million. Additionally, the legislation doubles the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit to $110 million annually through the year 2030 to help preserve historic buildings and put them to new use, including creating affordable housing.
Finally, the Affordable Homes Act recognizes that funding authorizations and tax credits alone are not enough to address the housing challenges facing Massachusetts. The bill includes policies such as the creation of an Office of Fair Housing and Fair Housing Trust Fund, mandating the establishment of a statewide housing plan, allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right in single-family zoned districts, establishing special commissions on Extremely Low Income Housing, Senior Housing, and Accessible Housing for persons living with disabilities, creating a supportive housing pool fund to address the needs of households experiencing homelessness, establishing eviction records sealing, and authorizing a social housing pilot. These policies will help move us closer to a Commonwealth where people can have safe, healthy, affordable homes in the communities they choose.
The final bill is also notable for what it did not include. Attempts to weaken, undermine, or delay existing housing laws or to place unnecessary barriers to housing productions were resoundingly rejected at all turns. The legislation that passed does not include harmful changes to Chapter 40B, the MBTA Communities Law, or to the Community Preservation Act (CPA). CHAPA is grateful that not only does this bill move us forward in our housing policy, it also does not set us back by weakening the progress we had already made.
CHAPA applauds the commitment shown by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Governor to take the steps necessary to meet the moment. While the Affordable Homes Act is a remarkable and historic piece of legislation, it will not be a panacea for all of the housing challenges facing Massachusetts. CHAPA looks forward to working closely with the Legislature, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and all stakeholders to implement this bill and to continue to find paths toward creating the homes we need.
CHAPA extends its profound gratitude to Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, Secretary Augustus, Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Chair Michlewitz, Chair Rodrigues, Chair Arciero, Chair Edwards, Senate President Pro Tempore Brownsberger, and all of the policy makers and their staff who made this bill a reality. In Massachusetts, we are fortunate to have leaders who recognize the scope of the housing challenges we face and the commitment to do what is necessary to move us forward. CHAPA looks forward to continuing to be a productive partner in this work over the months and years to come.