Governor Baker Releases FY2021 Budget Proposal
On January 22, Governor Baker released his FY2021 Budget Proposal. The proposal allocated level funding for most of CHAPA's affordable housing, community development, and homelessness prevention budget priorities. The budget did include a proposed increase for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) to $120 million.
There were discrepancies in the amount of allocation for MRVP and the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), and Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) between the line-item amount and the Governor's executive summary of the budget.
On January 31, Governor Baker filed an FY2020 supplemental budget, H.4354. The budget transfers the anticipated unexpended funds from FY2020 to FY2021 for MRVP and AHVP. The supplemental budget also allocates additional funding to the FY2020 budget HomeBASE. With the proposed supplemental budget funding added to the FY2021 proposal, the total proposed allocation for FY2021 is $120 million for MRVP and $7.4 million for AHVP.
For RAFT, the Governor plans to make $20.9 million in total funding available, with $7.35 million for the program coming from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund.
The next step in the state budget process will be for the House Committee on Ways and Means to release its FY2021 budget proposal in April. The supplemental budget will also move through the Legislature as an appropriations bill. Stay tuned for updates!
CHAPA's Building Blocks Coalition works to develop a shared state budget agenda and advocate for increased investments in affordable housing, community development, and homelessness prevention programs. Click here for more information and to sign up!
