Help Fight for the Housing Bond Bill!
While 2023 has come to a close, our Housing Bond Bill advocacy is far from over. Governor Healey's version of the Affordable Homes Act has a lot of promising proposals for affordable and accessible housing, but we (along with our allies at CHAPA, the Boston Center for Independent Living, and Stavros) will be advocating for a few changes, which you can read below.
The Governor's version of the Affordable Homes Act includes project-based vouchers for AHVP, which is extremely exciting. BCIL will be advocating for other programmatic changes included in the AHVP bill, "An act to create affordable homes for persons with disabilities", including:
Updated language for persons with disabilities
The creation of project-based vouchers
Establishing a payment standard of 120% small area fair market rent (SAFMR)
Unspent funds from previous fiscal years remaining with the program rather than reverting back to the General Fund
We'll be advocating for $60 million for the Home Loan Modification Program, as is in the Governor's version.
The Governor's version of the bond bill allocates $55 million for Community Based Housing. We'll be advocating for doubling the funds to $110 million, due to the limited housing options for those who desire to transition out of institutions.
Lastly, we'll be advocating for a commission that would review an expansion of the concept of accessible housing, to develop a more cross-disability definition of accessible housing.
On Wednesday the 10th at 10:30, we'll be hosting virtual event to discuss these goals and next steps. This is the zoom link to join. Let R know at rfeynman@dpcma.org if you're interested in attending, want more info, or if you have any questions.
