CHAPA Committees for 2008 We encourage you to become involved in one or more of our committees. Committees generally meet on a quarterly basis. If you signed up for a committee last year and you want to remain on this committee, there is no need to sign up again. 1. Chapter 40B Task Force Over the past five years, this committee focused extensively on new guidelines, regulations, research, training and technical assistance. This year, the committee will focus on implementation of the 2007 proposed regulation and guidelines, ongoing research, and sponsorship of additional training programs. Most of work occurs in subcommittees that are formed as specific issues arise. 2. Public Housing Committee The public housing committee plays an important role in convening diverse interests in the public housing community to develop a common agenda. The committee includes members from Mass. Union of Public Housing Tenants, MassNAHRO, DHCD, and many other groups. This year, we will focus on proposed legislation regarding public housing reform, including a new $50 million demonstration program; mixed financing for state public housing; adequate funding for operating subsidies and modernization; sponsoring our annual stakeholders conference; and implementation of other committee recommendations. 3. Smart Growth and Affordable Housing This committee has worked on policies and strategies to make affordable housing a greater focus of smart growth initiatives and community planning activities across the state. Key activities have included: representing affordable housing interests in ongoing smart growth and regional planning efforts; developing smart growth principles; developing educational materials and a power point presentation on affordable housing and smart growth; and providing technical assistance on local housing strategies. 4. Tenant-Based Section 8 Committee (Housing Choice Voucher Program) Over the past few years, this committee focused extensively on ensuring adequate funding for the federal Section 8 voucher program in the HUD budget, submitting comments on HUD's proposed Fair Market Rent levels, and training activities. In 2008, our activities will include: conducting research, advocating for program and policy changes with HUD and Congress, advocating for passage of the Section Eight Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA), and encouraging effective use of project-based vouchers. 5. Homelessness Committee This committee has advocated for more permanent affordable housing for homeless and formerly homeless people and increased access to rental assistance; expansion of homeless prevention programs; interaction with the Governor's Interagency Council on Homelessness; developing a database of "set-aside" units for households below 30% of area median income; and sponsorship of forums and trainings for policymakers on homelessness issues. In the coming year, the committee will also advocate for implementation of recommendations in the Commission to End Homelessness report. 6. Project-Based Section 8/Expiring Use Working Group This committee will focus on preserving project-based Section 8 and expiring use housing in Massachusetts. Activities will include: advocating with the Patrick Administration on the importance of state funding for preservation projects; working with the Legislature on proposed legislation to preserve expiring use properties; advocating with HUD and Congress on Section 8 contract renewal issues and funding; and planning trainings. 7. Homeownership Collaborative Advisory Committee This advisory committee directs and oversees CHAPA's Homeownership Collaborative, which provides comprehensive training and support approximately 60 homebuyer counseling agencies in Massachusetts. The Advisory committee meets twice each year, but various subcommittees meet more frequently. 8. Housing for People With Disabilities This committee advocates for additional housing for people with disabilities, including people with mental illness, mental retardation, physical disabilities, and others. Our focus has been on implementation of the new Community Based Housing Program, developing principles of integrated housing, and coordinating with United Disability Housing Partnership. We will also advocate with the Patrick administration for new administrative policies to increase housing opportunities for people with disabilities as part of the Olmstead housing committee recommendations. 9. Resident-Controlled Housing Committee This committee will address the issues of concern to the state's 10,000 units of resident-controlled affordable housing, including: limited equity cooperatives, limited equity condominiums, resident-controlled rentals, and resident-developer partnerships. Issues of concern will include public policies and educational efforts aimed at resident leaders. This committee will continue the work of the former Association for Resident Control of Housing (ARCH) and plan a major conference to be held in 2009. 10. Elderly Housing and Affordable Assisted Living Committee CHAPA and Mass-ALFA will continue to convene an elderly housing committee that will focus on broader elderly housing strategies as well as affordable assisted living. This year, the committee will focus on continued support of the Coalition for Senior Housing and research on the cost-effectiveness of community-based housing with support services. The committee will continue to provide a forum for sharing information and best practices in elderly housing; foster collaboration among those working in housing and service provision; provide opportunities for networking; and advocate for public policy initiative that foster the production of affordable elder housing. 11. Planning and Land Use Committee This new committee has brought together municipal planners, consultants, and others to share information on affordable housing and community planning issues across the state, to provide input into CHAPA board policies in this area, to discuss issues of land use and zoning reform, and to explore the training needs of volunteer board members at the local level. Click here to download the Sign Up form (PDF file).