The following chart depicts CHAPA's current FY2023 state budget priorities for affordable housing, community development, and homelessness development programs. The chart also highlights funding levels in the current fiscal year (FY2022) and the proposed funding levels for the programs in the Governor's FY2023 budget request.
Housing News
February 28, 2022
Please join CHAPA in signing a letter in support of a proposed Zero Carbon Renovation Fund to allocate $250 million of the state's ARPA funds to rapidly renovate the Commonwealth’s existing buildings to zero carbon.
February 22, 2022
Governor Baker filed a supplemental budget bill on February 18th, that seeks to spend $2.4 billion to keep COVID-19 response efforts going and make investments in areas like housing, human services, childcare, and others. The bill proposes $2.4 billion in spending with $1.6 billion allocated from the surplus revenues in FY2022, with the rest allocated from federal funds and reimbursements.
February 3, 2022
On February 2nd, the Joint Committee on Housing, chaired by Senator Keenan and Representative Arciero, favorably reported out four of CHAPA priority bills. The following bills will likely move to the respective Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means chaired by Senator Rodrigues and Representative Michlewitz.
January 31, 2022
On January 26, 2022, Governor Baker released his $48.6 billion state budget for FY2023 (H.2), which begins on July 1, 2022. According to Governor Baker, the budget would promote growth and support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 while increasing total state spending by approximately 0.5% above Fiscal Year 2022.
January 6, 2022
On December 15, 2021, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released draft guidelines on the new state law requiring MBTA communities to establish zoning for multifamily housing.
January 5, 2022
Download pdf Version of Summary
The zoning reforms Governor Baker enacted as a part of the Economic Development Bill in January 2021 year created a requirement that MBTA communities have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria, including:
January 1, 2022
On January 1, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) changed the application process for emergency rental assistance. Among the changes, applicants must now have at least one month of rent arrears to become eligible rather than receiving assistance in advance. Applicants seeking another 3-month rent stipend will also need to fall one month behind on rent then reapply, replacing a simpler recertification process for additional rent assistance.
December 17, 2021
Today, Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) announced their selection of seven communities for their Municipal Engagement Initiative (MEI) 2022 cohort. MEI provides support and technical assistance to communities in their efforts to create coalitions in support of affordable housing. With local expertise at the forefront, MEI seeks to help municipalities develop unique, actionable strategies that work within the context of each community.
December 15, 2021
On December 15, 2021, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released draft guidelines for the new multifamily zoning requirement for MBTA communities. Along with the guidelines, DHCD also posted information about technical assistance, upcoming webinars, the public comment period, and other supplemental information.