Take Action: Ask your state rep to co-sponsor affordable housing priorities
On July 11, the House Committee on Ways and Means released its Economic Development Bill proposal (H.5007), An Act Relating to Economic Growth and Relief for the Commonwealth, originally filed by Governor Baker and reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Joint Committee on Bonding. The House will vote on the bill later this week.
The following amendments to H.5007 will help us recover from the virus while also moving forward on long-term solutions to the tremendous affordable housing challenges we faced long before the pandemic. The legislation includes investments in production of affordable housing through capital authorizations, homeownership opportunities, reforms for public housing redevelopment, and more.
Please call or email your State Representative TODAY to ask them to co-
sponsor CHAPA’s priority amendments in the Economic Development Bill
for affordable housing, community development, and homelessness
prevention!
You can use the following script in your message to your State Representative:
As your constituent and someone who supports affordable housing, I ask that you please co-sponsor and support the followinging amendments related to affordable housing in the Economic Development bill.
This legislation will help us make historic investments in affordable housing and economic development for long terms solutions. We need to adopt these amendments to help everyone have a safe, healthy, and affordable home.
Thank you!
Contact Your State Representative
#25 – Public Housing Resident Protections during Redevelopment
Sponsored by Rep. Honan
Ensures retention of basic resident protections for existing and future residents as public housing redevelopment moves forward.
Ensures provision of technical assistance for public housing residents to allow for meaningful input into the redevelopment process.
#439 – Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) (7004-9316)
Sponsored by Rep. Vargas
Allows Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right on 5,000 sq. ft lots in every municipality
#78 – Zero Carbon Renovation Fund
Sponsored by Rep. Gouveia
Establishes a Zero Carbon Renovation Fund with an allocation of $250,000,000 for providing grants to fund deep energy retrofits and zero carbon renovations
#113 – Inclusionary Zoning
Sponsored by Rep. Connolly
Allows cities and towns to pass inclusionary zoning bylaws by a simple majority vote instead of the current super majority requirement
#48 – Flexible Funding Pool
Sponsored by Rep. Meschino
Creates a flexible funding pool for creating supportive housing to address the medically complex needs of disabled men, women and children experiencing homelessness
#350 – Permanent Supportive Housing
Sponsored by Rep. Vargas
$10 million for permanent supportive housing for operating and service costs necessary to support individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness
#652 – Expanded Access to RAFT
Sponsored by Rep. Decker
Increases RAFT emergency housing assistance funding by $250 million by allocating Budget Surplus and ARPA Funds
#238 – STASH Program
Sponsored by Rep. Peake
$30 million for STASH program that provides first-generation homebuyers with homeownership opportunities
#176 – Local Option for Transfer Fees
Sponsored by Rep. Connolly
Creates an enabling legislative framework allowing local towns to enact a fee on certain real estate transactions to support affordable housing
#230 – (HERO) Sustainable Climate & Housing Revenue
Sponsored by Rep. Elugardo
Doubles the deeds excise tax on the sale of real property and dedicates the estimated $300 million in annual revenue towards affordable housing and climate sustainability
#83 – Non-Profit Board Members
Sponsored by Rep. Cahill
Allows non-profit board members to receive up to a $500 stipend so that the voices of people with lived-experiences, who may have modest incomes or are not able to take time away from their job, can serve on the board
