On October 18th, Governor Healey introduced the Affordable Homes Act to the Legislature, a $4.12 billion housing bond bill to be implemented over 5 years. Governor Healey indicated that this bill, “together with the increases to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the Housing Development Incentive Program [already enacted], is projected to create over 40,000 new homes and preserve or support an additional over 27,000 homes over the next five years.” The bill would generate revenue by giving local communities the ability to increase real estate transfer fees on high value properties, and to relax some local zoning regulations that prohibit accessory dwelling units.
Two highlights of the bill that would benefit low-income families are:
- $800 million in new capital authorization for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support private affordable housing development.
- $50 million in new capital authorization for the Early Education and Out of School Time program to help build early education facilities that children from families with low incomes.
The bill will now be taken up by the Legislature, starting with the Joint Housing Committee.