ACT Supports Transfer Fee for Affordable Housing
The Transfer Fee ACT in State House
Cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth are facing a housing affordability crisis and desperately need funds to develop affordable housing to prevent the displacement of their residents. To support these initiatives, housing and community groups around the State came together to form a coalition to support the transfer fee. A bill, An Act empowering cities and towns to impose a fee on certain real estate transactions to support affordable housing, was drafted in collaboration with the coalition and has been filed by Rep. Connolly (H 1377) and Senator Comerford (S 868). The bill has been cosponsored by Sen. Barrett and Rep. Gouveia. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, which held a virtual hearing on the bills in October 26. Testimony in support of the bill came from municipal officials, housing advocates, and tenants living in, or seeking, affordable housing.
This enabling legislation will empower those communities that choose to do so to place a small fee of .5% to 2% on higher-end real estate transactions to fund affordable housing. This legislation is intentionally adaptable so that different municipalities can enact the type of transfer fee that works for their community. Many communities have already passed local home rule petitions including Boston, Somerville, and Concord. If the bills are enacted, the home rule petitions can be implemented.
How You Can Help
Please join us in advocating for this legislation and understanding that these funds could have a significant positive impact for you in your work and life. The Massachusetts Secretary of State has an online form that will let you know who your local, state and federal representative are and in most cases there are links to their respective web pages for contacting each person. Before calling, jot down bullet points on what you want to say including:
Your name and address and that you are a constituent
The name of the bill: An Act empowering cities and towns to impose a fee on certain real estate transactions to support affordable housing
Your concern, e.g. “I would like you to support this bill so that Andover can create and preserve affordable housing.”
