Governor Signs Billion-Dollar Housing Bond Bill

02:37PM / Thursday, May 29, 2008Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON – The state will invest $1.275 billion into affordable housing programs over the next five years. It's the state's largest investment ever in housing and community development projects.

The bond authorization was signed into law today by Gov. Deval Patrick. It was introduced by the governor last fall as part his $12 billion Capital Plan for higher education facilities, road and bridge repairs, transportation projects, housing and environmental protection.

"This bond bill was an important and collaborative effort with the state Legislature to devise a comprehensive plan to provide affordable housing in Massachusetts," said Patrick. "These are steps we need to take to keep our state a great place to live and work."

Patrick joined with state and local officials for the signing at an affordable housing complex in Allston named in memory of the late Boston City Councilor Brian J. Honan. Honan's brother, state Rep. Kevin G. Honan, co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Housing, said he was honored that the bill was signed in his district of Allston/Brighton and at the Honan complex.

"Affordable housing for our work force, families and the elderly remains a top priority for the commonwealth. This new funding means the creation and preservation of affordable and attainable housing throughout the state," said Honan, who leads the committee with state Sen. Susan C. Tucker.

The housing bond bill will help disabled residents to remain in their homes and in their communities, while generating new jobs and preserving affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for residents across Massachusetts, say officials.

"This housing bond bill will have a direct local benefit to cities and towns by helping create and expand affordable housing options for people throughout our commonwealth," said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi.

The legislation will also address the backlog of deferred capital maintenance in public housing stock, with a priority on projects that protect the health and safety of residents and address structural deficiencies, expand private housing opportunities for seniors and working families, and promote community and economic development.

"This investment comes at a critical time for the commonwealth. As the housing market struggles and foreclosures continue to rise, this infusion of capital will keep housing available for the young, the elderly and people at all income levels," said Senate President Therese Murray.

The legislation will authorize for the following programs administered by the state Department of Housing and Community Development:

$120 million will support the Home Modification Program, the Facilities Consolidation Fund and the Community Based Housing Program, which are all targeted to meet various housing needs for people with disabilities and clients of the Department of Mental Retardation and Department of Mental Health.

$220 million will support the state's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which was established for the creation and preservation of affordable housing projects for households whose incomes are not more than 110 percent of median income.

$125 million will support the Housing Stabilization Fund, which provides support for the acquisition, preservation and rehabilitation of affordable housing, including foreclosed and distressed properties.

$500 million will go toward upgrading state-supported public housing developments. The state supports more than 50,000 apartments and the funds will be used for the preservation and development of public housing for families, senior citizens and those with special needs. Funding will address a large backlog of deferred maintenance in order to repair and modernize housing. An additional $50 million will fund a public housing pilot program for innovative housing authority initiatives that demonstrate cost-effective methods for revitalizing state-assisted public housing. It also encourages the production of new affordable housing on municipally owned land or underutilized housing authority property.

$75 million will support the Housing Innovations Fund, a program that supports the production of alternative forms of rental housing, including single person occupancy units, transitional and permanent housing for the homeless, battered-women's shelters, supportive housing for seniors and veterans, and housing for substance abuse recovery.

$55 million will fund Community Development Action Grants, a municipal grant program that provides funding for publicly owned or managed projects that will have a significant impact on the economic condition of a city or town, including activities that will leverage significant private investment and generate or retain long-term employment, as well as projects that will significantly improve the conditions of low and moderate income persons through the support of workforce housing production and/or the preservation of public housing.

$100 million will support the Capital Improvement and Preservation Fund (CIPF) to assist in the preservation and improvement of existing privately owned state or federally assisted affordable rental developments. The program is targeted to housing at risk of losing affordability restrictions due to the potential for the prepayment of its mortgage and housing in which a project-based rental assistance contract has expired or is expiring.

$30 million in transit oriented development funds will capitalize the Commercial Area Transit Node Housing Program which is intended to produce housing units, rental or homeownership, in commercial areas served by public transit. Fifty percent of the housing produced under this program must be available to residents with incomes of no more than 80 percent of the area median income.

$10 million annually will support the Massachusetts low-income housing tax credit program. Created in 1999, state tax credits get awarded to investors in multi-family rental projects that meet strict affordability requirements. It encourages private investment in affordable housing and allows developers to finance part of the cost of the development with equity invested by local corporations and individuals, thereby reducing the amount of debt financing and helping to keep rents low.

The legislation marks the largest housing bond authorization in state history. The last housing bond bill was passed in 2002 for $508 million, including $350 million for public housing modernization and repairs.

"Everyone should have access to a safe, decent and affordable place to call home," said DHCD Undersecretary Tina Brooks. "The funds from this bond bill will increase access to housing opportunities and will help keep our communities strong and economically competitive."

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Lanesborough Passes FY 2027 Budget, Warrant Articles

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
10:20PM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles.

Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.

Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours.

The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.

Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget.

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.

Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.

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