Affordable Homes Act Before MA Legislature will Pack a Punch Upon Enactment
Two months ago, MA Governor Healey put the $4 billion Affordable Homes Act in front of the Massachusetts Legislature. Upon passage, the funding will impact housing across the state. Complete fact sheet on pdf, CLICK HERE.
Impactful policies included in the bill for example are those permitting accessory dwelling units as-of-right which are less than 900 square feet to be built in single-family zoning districts in all communities including the prohibition of owner occupancy requirements as well as parking mandates. Also creates an Extremely Low-Income Housing Commission to expand supply of affordable housing for those households earning less than 30 percent of the area median income. This would permit the so-called “Tiny Houses” to help the homeless.
Biggest ticket items in the bill include $1.6 Billion for the repair, rehab, and modernization of over 43,000 public housing units and $800 million for affordable housing for households not more than 110% of area median income.
Other funding includes: $425 million for Housing Stabilization —- $275 million for innovative housing solutions —- $175 million for municipal infrastructure projects to encourage denser housing development — $100 million for mixed-income housing fund —- $100 million to crate a permanent capital resource for an existing MassHousing program recently supported by the American Rescue Plan Act —- $70 million for community-based housing re Facilities Consolidation Fund —- $60 million for MA Rehabilitation Commission Home Modification Program —- $55 million to support appropriate housing for people with disabilities —- $50 million for momentum fund to accelerate development of mixed-income multifamily housing —- $50 million for distressed properties —- $50 million for early education facilities —- $35 million in payments to municipalities getting Housing Choice designation —- $30 million for State Surplus property distribution —- $25 million to make grants for planning and zoning initiatives — $20 million for municipalities who adopt smart growth housing districts