About CHAPA

Born out of a small group of community leaders who understood that housing was a critical issue of the civil rights movement in 1967, Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to encourage the production and preservation of housing that is affordable to low and moderate-income families and individuals and to foster diverse and sustainable communities through planning and community development.

CHAPA helped create the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Law (Chapter 40B), which was developed so that families and individuals with low and moderate incomes could find safe and affordable homes in every city and town in the Commonwealth. CHAPA also helped create our own state rental subsidy programs, the state’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and the strongest expiring use law in the nation (Chapter 40T). 

Throughout CHAPA's history, we have successfully advocated for the passage of numerous Housing Bond Bills and legislative priorities to fund affordable housing development and programs throughout Massachusetts.

At the core of our work, we believe that every person in Massachusetts should have a safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home. CHAPA achieves this by advocating for opportunity, expanding access to housing, and developing the field.

Advocating for Opportunity

As an umbrella organization for affordable housing and community development activities, CHAPA actively engages its membership, committees, and coalitions to advocate for the amount and diverse types of housing that Massachusetts needs for people and communities to thrive. CHAPA also works collaboratively with other fields (such as child care, health, workforce development, and more) to break down silos and ensure that various systems, resources, and tools support housing stability and economic mobility for families and individuals. On the federal level, CHAPA works with national partners to affect policy.

Expanding Access to Housing

CHAPA runs programs that connect people with affordable rental and homeownership opportunities, including MyMassHome, the Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative, and Chapter 40B Monitoring.

Developing the Field

CHAPA’s trainings and forums, newsletters, young professionals networking group, and more are all designed to build the capacity of and increase information-sharing among diverse groups of organizations and professionals in the housing and community development field.

 

Meet Our Team

Our Programs

Our Priorities

Legislative

Partners & Resources

Partner Organizations

Community Preservation Coalition

The Community Preservation Coalition is an alliance of open space, affordable housing, and historic preservation organizations working with municipalities to help them understand, adopt, and implement the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act (CPA).
www.communitypreservation.org

Regional Housing Network

The Regional Housing Network of Massachusetts is a non-profit organization whose members deliver progressive, affordable housing solutions, and education to families and individuals in every community throughout the state.
www.regionalhousing.net

Resources

MyMassHome

MyMassHome is a one-stop resource for helping Massachusetts homebuyers navigate their path to becoming a homeowner. From discovering what mortgage product would work best, taking a first-time homebuyer course, and finding and purchasing a new home, MyMassHome is a comprehensive guide for all the resources and support needed to find the right place to call home.
www.mymasshome.org

My Mass Mortgage

Created under the Massachusetts Homeownership Compact this website was designed to assist potential home owners in the Homebuying process. 
www.mymassmortgage.org

Housing Toolbox for Massachusetts Communities

This toolbox was developed as part of a statewide initiative to support local officials and volunteers in their efforts to provide more affordable housing opportunities in their communities.
www.housingtoolbox.org