The Massachusetts House has overridden every single housing veto and the senate followed through on overriding all but two of those vetoes, resulting in a total restored sum of roughly $5.87 million towards housing programs so far.
MassHousing’s Managing Director of Government Affairs and Communications will lead MassHousing on an interim basis, while the Board conducts a search for a permanent executive director. Lyons replaces Tim Sullivan, who stepped down today as Executive Director to pursue a private sector employment opportunity.
New this year, is the introduction of the Affordable Housing Preservation and Development Fund (AHPD).
DHCD has a pending amendment to the 2017 QAP to allow for a “October 2017 Mini-Competition” for high readiness family projects with substantial matching funds.
The Baker-Polito Administration filed a Housing Bond Bill (H.3653) seeking $1.3 billion in additional capital authorization for the production and preservation of affordable housing, and for public housing maintenance and improvement.
The two days of debate resulted in a $40 billion budget as several affordable housing initiatives were supported.
Beacon Communities LLC is using $42.5 million in MassHousing financing and other funding sources to refinance the 161-unit Quincy Tower at 5 Oak St. West in Chinatown for low-income senior citizens and complete nearly $12 million in property upgrades.
Senior citizens living in four affordable housing communities in Boston, Framingham, Newton and New Bedford will see the preservation of affordability and extensive property renovations as a result of $102.7 million in MassHousing financing.
The state’s affordable housing bank had its best lending total in its history; received three bond rating upgrades from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s; and created the first-in-the-nation statewide loan program to spur the new production of housing that is more affordable to middle-income renters.
Beacon Communities LLC purchased Rockingham Glen, a 143-unit community, with an exemption from Chapter 40T to ensure the affordable apartments did not convert to market rate.
In fiscal year 2016 the 424 rental housing communities in the MassHousing loan portfolio generated approximately $201.4 million in contracts for goods, services and supplies. Of this amount, $37 million (18%) went to Minority-Owned Businesses and $23 million (11%) went to Women-Owned Businesses.
All pre-applications must demonstrate that the proposed project is highly ready to proceed and that the development cost per unit is reasonable. Sponsors interested in this round are encouraged to notify DHCD as soon as possible.