Yesterday evening, December 3, the conference committee released the FY2021 conference budget. For each of CHAPA’s priorities, the budget contains the higher appropriation amount from the versions passed by the House or Senate! Click here for an overview of an overview of CHAPA’s priorities in the conference budget.

The conference budget makes language changes to some of CHAPA’s priorities, including RAFT, HomeBASE, and MRVP. Notably, the budget language directs DHCD to use a short, simple application for RAFT and de-couples RAFT and HomeBASE benefits during the COVID-19 emergency declaration.

The budget also includes several housing-related outside sections on:

  • Revised notices to quit for COVID-related evictions;
  • Delaying eviction cases if there is a pending application for emergency rental assistance;
  • Reporting requirements for the Eviction Diversion Initiative; and
  • The creation of a task force to make recommendations on how to improve the Eviction Diversion Initiative.

Click here for a detailed language analysis of CHAPA’s priorities in the FY2021 conference budget as well as on housing-related outside sections.

Although not included in CHAPA’s priorities, the budget also includes a new line-item (7004-1010) with $5 million for a down payment assistance program as well as $2.5 million for capital grants to improve or create accessible affordable housing for persons with disabilities (7004-9031).

Today, December 4, the Legislature accepted the conference budget and sent it to the Governor. He will have 10 days to sign the budget or send it back to the Legislature with vetoes or other recommendations.

Please call or email the Governor asking him to support all our affordable housing, homelessness prevention, or community development priorities in the final budget. CHAPA is currently drafting our letter to Governor Baker right now. We will post it when it is complete.

Also, if you can, please contact Ways and Means Chairs Rep. Michlewitz and Sen. Rodrigues to thank them for supporting our priorities in the conference budget.

CHAPA also thanks Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Spilka, other members of the budget conference committee, and the Legislature for supporting these critical programs in the state budget.

Finally, thank you for your advocacy throughout the budget process!