At its September 13 hearing, the Joint Committee on Housing heard testimony on An Act Relative to Employer Assisted Housing (S.785), one of CHAPA's legislative priorities. CHAPA and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce testified in support of the bill, and letters of support were delivered from Citizens Bank, Cape Cod Community College, and others. No one opposed the bill. This broad-based support led to the committee redrafting and reporting the bill favorably on September 22; however, this is only the first step, and letters are still needed as we work to advance this proposal.

At the same September 13 hearing, CHAPA board member Charleen Regan testified in support of An Act to Expand Housing and Workforce Opportunities for Elders, Veterans, and Families (S.151/H.1453). These bills would provide $271 million in bond funds for new public housing construction and for vocational and job training of public housing residents. As part of her testimony, Charleen asked the committee to amend the bills to include funding for a demonstration program to promote creative, replicable solutions that demonstrate new ways to preserve and improve the existing public housing stock. The committee is expected to act on public housing legislation once its subcommittee on public housing completes a round of hearings that are being held across the state.

On September 20, the committee heard a bill that would impose time limits and work requirements on Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program participants (H.4234). DHCD Director, Jane Gumble, testified for the administration. Numerous people spoke in opposition to the governor's proposal. Most pointed out that the legislature had already defeated this proposal by not including it in the FY 06 budget, and many referenced the lack of data provided by the administration, including the inability to say how many MRVP participants are already working full- or part-time or why it makes sense to abolish the new cap on rent contributions and, instead, return to when 62% of participants were paying more than 40% of their income for rent.

The second bill that received a great deal of testimony was An Act Relative to Data Collection for Affordable Housing (S.800/H.3168). CHAPA joined with the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston, Action for Regional Equity, the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, and others and testified in support of this bill.

For additional information on any of these items, vist our legislative hotlist or call Chris Norris at CHAPA, 617-742-0820.

Economic Stimulus Package Scheduled for Debate

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is tentatively scheduled to debate its economic stimulus package the week of October 3. This bill, H.4324, recapitalizes the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund with $30 million and makes the Brownfields Tax Credit assignable to non-profits and other entities and extends the credit until 2012. (See sectuibs 28, 29, 42 & 43 of the bill.) The brownfields legislation is a top priority of the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, CHAPA, MACDC, and others.

The stimulus package also includes a continuation of the Historic Tax Credit, for the restoration of historic buildings, at $50 million worth of credits annually for six years. At least 25% of the tax credits shall be allowed to projects that contain affordable housing. (See sections 31 and 44 of the bill.)

Public Housing Regulations Released

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has finalized new regulations regarding mixed financing for the redevelopment of state-aided public housing. The new regulations are available on DHCD's web site under 760 CMR 4.12 - 4.16. CHAPA thanks the DHCD staff and CHAPA members who worked so hard to bring these regulations to fruition.

New Transit Oriented Development Set to Begin

Program regulations and guidelines have been finalized for the Transit Oriented Development Infrastructure & Housing Support Program. Unfortunately, funding awards may only be provided to public entities or certain partnerships between public and private entities. CHAPA will continue working on a legislative change to allow for-profit and non-profit developers to access this program. You can obtain the materials by clicking here. Applications will be due on Monday, November 14, and a public information meeting has been scheduled for September 28 at 2:00 p.m. at DHCD. For additional information, contact Jane Healey at 617-573-1388.

Smart Growth Guidelines Issued

The Department of Housing and Community Development has annouced smart growth guidelines for Massachusetts' affordable housing programs. The guidelines are expected to take effect on January 1, 2006. DHCD has scheduled four regional meetings, three remaining, to explain the new guidelines. Click here to obtain more information.

New Reports

CHAPA has recently completed three major research reports. They are available on our web site.

1. Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2004 by the Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University and cosponsored by CHAPA and The Boston Foundation.

2. Age Restricted Active Adult Housing in Massachusetts by Bonnie Heudorfer.

3. A Study of the Appropriate Operating Costs for State-Funded Public Housing in Massachusetts by the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and cosponsored by CHAPA and MassNAHRO.

Upcoming Events (For descriptions and contacts visit our calendar at www.chapa.org)

Tuesday, September 27, 4:00 p.m., Cambridge City Hall, Joint Committee on Housing Expiring Use Subcommittee

Friday, September 30, 8:00 a.m., Lawrence Community Works, CHAPA Regional Meeting

October 6, 8:30 a.m., Framingham Memorial Building, MetroWest Affordable Housing Production Workshop

Friday, October 7, 8:00 a.m and Noon, North Plymouth and Hyannis, CHAPA Regional Meetings

Tuesday, October 25, 5:30 p.m., Boston Copley Marriott, CHAPA Annual Dinner

Tuesday, November 1, 8:00 a.m., North Shore Community College, Danvers Campus, Launch of Essex County Home@Last Public Awareness Campaign

Friday, November 4, 8:00 a.m., Devens Marriott, Chapter 40B Training

Wednesday, November 16, 9:00 a.m., College of the Holy Cross, The New England Housing Network Eleventh Annual Conference