A report prepared by Gregory Byrne and Associates has found that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts needs to spend, on average, $139 additional per unit, per month to meet actual operating costs, or an additional $78 million. The operating cost study of Massachusetts state public housing was commissioned by CHAPA and MassNAHRO. Researchers, which included Abt Associates and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, released their preliminary results on Monday, March 7, to the Joint Housing Committee at a well-attended public hearing in Gardner Auditorium at the State House. A full copy of the Phase One Preliminary Results can be obtained by clicking here.

CHAPA Encourages Compromise on Surplus Land Disposition

In the FY 2004 budget, the legislature and governor agreed to try a new method for disposing of state surplus land. They implemented an expedited process, known as "Section 548," that allowed the Commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) to declare property surplus after contacting the secretaries of the various executive offices and determining that they do not have a current or foreseeable need for the property. The property may be sold once the necessary notices are given and an appraisal is performed. Once sold, the purchaser of the property must comply with any restrictions placed on the property by DCAM, and the purchaser must also comply with the regular city or town zoning. A portion of the net proceeds raised from the sale of surplus properties using Section 548 are used to fund the new 40R Smart Growth Zoning Trust Fund. Section 548 has effectively ! ;moved properties through the disposition process; however, it has generated some controversy, and it is set to expire on June 30, 2005.

CHAPA would like to see Section 548 amended and renewed so that the legislature does not have to return to passing special legislation for each and every land disposition. Such an extension would also guarantee funding for cities and towns that adopt 40R and prevent a return to the time when it took an average of 10 years to dispose of each property. CHAPA, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and other members of the Smart Growth Alliance, are working with members of the House and Senate and the administration to develop compromise legislation that will address concerns raised by local officials and residents and allow for the continuation of the expedited disposition of surplus land. A copy of our letter to legislators is available here.

Income Limits and Section 8 FMRs Finalized

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released its new income limits and Fair Market Rents. Click on the links to see the data.

CHAPA's 2005 Committees

CHAPA encourages its members to participate in our various committees. We will not be sending a hardcopy of the list this year; however, the complete list of committees for 2005 is available here. At the end of the committee list is a link where you can download a registration form. You do not need to re-register if you are already a committee member.

Draft Predatory Lending Regulations Available

The Massachusetts Division of Banks held a public hearing earlier this week to review proposed regulations regarding anti-predatory lending. The draft regulations are available here. The regulations were prepared in response to Chapter 268 of the Acts of 2004, An Act Prohibiting Certain Practices in Home Mortgage Lending.

Upcoming CHAPA Events

Implementing Chapter 40R: New Regulations for Smart Growth Zoning Districts, March 16, Sovereign Bank, 75 State Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., $15 for CHAPA members and $20 for non-members. Click here for flyer.

Implementing Local Preferences in Affordable Housing Programs, April 14, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Dedham Holiday Inn, $25 for CHAPA members and $35 for non-members. Click here for flyer.

Keeping Current with Chapter 40B, April 29, 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Doubletree Hotel Lowell, $35 for CHAPA members and $45 for non-members. Click here for flyer.

6th Annual Resident Controlled Housing Conference, May 7, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Hyatt Regency Hotel, Boston, $85 registration.

You must RSVP for these trainings. To do so, call 617-742-0820 or e-mail jmissick@chapa.org.

Olver Becomes Ranking Democrat on HUD Appropriations Committee

Massachusetts Congressman John Olver is now the ranking Democrat on the newly constituted Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, HUD, Judiciary, and District of Columbia. No other members of the New England Congressional delegation serve on this key committee. The chair of the subcommittee is Congressman Joe Knollenberg of Michigan. CHAPA recently met with Congressman Olver to discuss the importance of the Section 8 voucher program, the severe cuts to the CDBG program and the proposed shift to the Commerce Department, and other key HUD programs that are facing potential cuts.

The chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Judiciary is Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) and the ranking Democrat is Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is the only New Englander on the Senate subcommittee.