Rep. Donato Supports Affordable Housing Bond Bill

State Representative Paul J. Donato (D-Medford, Malden) joined his colleagues in the Legislature to pass final legislation authorizing $1.4 billion in capital spending over the next five years to fund the production and preservation of affordable housing in the Commonwealth.

“Providing safe and secure housing is a crucial step to helping families across the Commonwealth achieve economic stability,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “Massachusetts has been able to improve its economy because we consistently address the most basic needs of our citizens. The housing bond bill is an important step in this direction and I commend the conferees for their thorough work on this legislation.” 

“The House and Senate have worked together successfully to produce a conference committee report that will ensure these important investments address the Commonwealth’s most pressing housing issues, particularly homelessness and high housing costs,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D – Haverhill), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “With this bill we are not just looking to the future, improving facilities and housing infrastructure, but we are also addressing immediate housing concerns to improve the quality of life for our citizens statewide.”

“The Legislature has shown unwavering support for public and affordable housing in the Commonwealth by passing the largest ever – $1.4 billion – housing bond bill,” said Representative Kevin Honan (D-Brighton), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing. “This bill provides $500 million for the modernization of our public housing stock, which is vital for our local housing authorities to get vacant units back online. It also provides for innovative strategies to address homelessness, funds to promote mixed use and transit oriented development, and critical housing services for the mentally and physically disabled.”

“This Housing Bond bill will provide critical funds and fund innovative programs to increase housing, including a new program to strengthen neighborhoods by encouraging people to occupy and renovate two to six unit properties in challenged neighborhoods,” said Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral (D-New Bedford), Chair of the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. 

“This bill addresses housing issues from several different areas,” said Representative Paul J. Donato. “I am proud to join my colleagues in passing such important legislation.”

This is the first long-term housing finance bill to come before the Legislature since 2008 and includes $500 million for the rehabilitation and modernization of state-assisted public housing.

The legislation establishes the Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund to provide grants to non-profit childcare organizations for capital improvements to their facilities. Eligible providers must reserve at least 25 percent of their childcare slots for families receiving a public subsidy.

This plan also allows for development projects within a half-mile of a mass transit hub to be eligible for funding by expanding the definition of transit-oriented development in the MassWorks Infrastructure Program.

The bill also includes:

$55 million for a home modification program for blind and severely disabled homeowners;

$47 million for a loan program to provide community-based or supportive housing for individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities;

$38 million for a loan program for community-based or supportive housing for individuals with disabilities who are institutionalized or at risk of being institutionalized;

$305 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable housing for households at or under 110 percent of the area median income;

$135 million to the Housing Stabilization and Investment Trust Fund for acquisition, preservation and rehabilitation of affordable housing;

$50 million for a five-year grant program within the Department of Housing and Community Development to test cost-effective revitalization methods for family and elderly-disabled public housing;

$80 million to the Housing Innovations Trust Fund to support innovative and alternative forms of housing;

$100 million to the Capital Improvement and Preservation Trust Fund to purchase housing whose affordability restrictions have expired or are expiring;

$45 million to develop residential housing and mixed-use and transit-oriented developments; and,

$45 million for the Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund.

In addition, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to file an annual capital plan with the Legislature.

The Governor signed the final bill on November 14, 2013 and it is now known as Chapter 129 of the Acts of 2013.

– Submitted by State Representative Paul Donato’s office