Housing Working Group Meetings Begin Today
As we mentioned last week, the Patrick/Murray Transition Team's Housing Working Group has scheduled three public meetings. CHAPA members should attend and submit testimony to the working group. The meetings will be held: Tuesday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m., Holyoke Community College, Kittredge Center, PeoplesBank Conference Room; Thursday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m., Northeastern University, Egan Building, Raytheon Amphitheater; Monday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Barnstable Town Hall in Hyannis.
The meeting schedules of all of the working groups can be found by clicking here.
Governor Restores Some Housing Funds for FY 07
On Friday, December 1, Secretary Trimarco of the Office of Administration and Finance announced that $41 million of the 9C cuts made by the Governor last month, had been rescinded. Two programs administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development benefited. The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) was restored to its original FY 07 funding level of $5 million (a restoration of $2 million), and the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) saw $1 million replaced out of the $3.2 million that was cut.
On Wednesday, December 6, at 11 a.m., The Campaign for Public Responsibility will hold a rally at the State House steps and call for a reversal of the 9C cuts and a restoration of funds for vital state programs. CHAPA is one of the endorsers of the rally. We urge our members to attend and to contact their legislators regarding the cuts that impact housing programs such as MRVP and SoftSecond.
Comments Sought on Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
DHCD has released a draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Access (AI) and is soliciting comments on the draft document through the end of December. DHCD is not planning to hold a public hearing to gather input on the AI; however, written comments will be accepted through the end of December. They should be directed to Anne Marie Belrose, Associate Deputy Director for Policy Development, DHCD, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114-2524. Copies of the AI are available on DHCD's website which can be accessed by clicking here.
Comments Sought on 1-Year Action Plan
The FY 2007 Action Plan drafts have been prepared by DHCD, covering the Community Development Block Grant, HOME, the Emergency Services Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS. DHCD will hold two public hearings on the drafts. The first hearing will be on December 11, 2006, from 11:00 a.m. until noon in Conference Room B at DHCD. The second hearing will be on December 13, 2006, from 11:00 a.m. until noon at the West Springfield Town Hall. In addition to the hearings, written comments will be accepted through December 26, 2006. The Action Plan is posted on DHCD's website at which is available here. For additional information contact Karen Bresnahan at (617) 573-1441.
Affordable Housing Development Competition Seeking Developers
The 2007 Affordable Housing Development Competition is seeking developer participants. Sponsored by CHAPA, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and Kevin P. Martin and Associates, the competition is designed to focus a new generation of thinkers on the need for affordable housing. By matching graduate students with professionals, the competition provides the opportunity to combine classroom experience with real-world practice in affordable-housing development.
Cash prizes of $10,000 (first place), $6,000 (second place), and $2,500 (third place) will be awarded for proposals that best meet the judging criteria. Each award will be equally divided between the developer and the winning team. Developers who are interested in participating should contact Chris Norris at (617) 742-0820.
