CHAPA

Limited tickets left for CHAPA's (in-person) Federal Housing Policy Forum II: chapa.org/event/chapas...

Join CHAPA and housing experts to discuss how MA will continue to preserve and produce affordable housing despite federal changes & highlight opportunities to work towards MA's production goals.

Now announcing: panels for CHAPA's Housing Summit! chapa.org/all-events/?...

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity in November to connect with 400+ industry leaders, changemakers, & advocates dedicated to expanding affordable housing development to achieve the collective goal of 222K homes by 2035.

CHAPA's Job Board is back open!

Post your open job or RFP free of charge: chapa.org/job-board/

We've reached a milestone as a state: 75% of #MBTACommunities have approved their multifamily zoning districts!

CHAPA is proud to have supported over 70 communities in passing these districts through our technical assistance program.

www.mass.gov/news/75-perc...

Thursday, April 10 @ 1pm ET: Join former HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge as she talks with Howard Koh, chair of the @hsph.harvard.edu Initiative on Health and Homelessness, about the forces driving the housing crisis and ways to make housing more affordable.

mailchi.mp/harvard/marc...

Today @ 1:30 pm ET: The number of cost-burdened renter households has reached a new record high. @airbrycki.bsky.social will discuss persistent disparities in who experiences cost burdens and the urgent need for policies to tackle these challenges.

us7.campaign-archive.com?e=__test_ema...

🍪 Join us at Cookie Day next week (3/12) and help advocate for MRVP! 🍪

Register: www.saveourhomesnow.org/2025_mrvp_co...

#mapoli @disruptpoverty.bsky.social

Waltham Housing Coalition hosts inaugural meeting to combat affordable housing shortage  – Waltham Times Residents and community leaders discussed strategies for improving Waltham’s housing production at a meeting this weekend.  Local residents and

"Monica Keel, CHAPA’s municipal engagement program manager, described the impact of housing security. “Housing is connected to everything in our lives. It’s connected to where we go to school, if we have access to public transit...""

walthamtimes.org/2025/03/04/w...

Help advocate for rental assistance at the Mass Alliance Of Hud Tenants’ MRVP Cookie Day on March 12th at 10 AM!

Register now: www.saveourhomesnow.org/2025_mrvp_co...

#mapoli @disruptpoverty.bsky.social

Thank you, Enterprise and Citizens Bank, for sponsoring CHAPA's 58th Annual Dinner!

Your support helps us ensure a thriving Commonwealth where everyone has a safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home.

Register for the Dinner today at chapa.org/events

HUD cuts, layoffs will 'devastate' communities, worsen housing crisis, observers say HUD staff and budget are already stretched too thin, and more will exacerbate a national housing crisis, observers say.

In the midst of a housing crisis, having HUD operating at 100% is crucial. “Housing is unaffordable for everyone at just about every income level... We would hope the federal government would be doing more, not less.” @chapadotorg.bsky.social @riquier.bsky.social

www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

HUD cuts, layoffs will "devastate" communities, worsen housing crisis, observers say HUD staff and budget are already stretched too thin, and more will exacerbate a national housing crisis, observers say

“Housing is unaffordable for everyone at just about every income level. We would hope that this would be a moment when the federal government would be doing more, not less.” -CHAPA CEO, Rachel Heller

www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

“It’s a very holistic look at what we need to move forward,” said Jenna Connolly of CHAPA. “It doesn’t just focus on one part of the industry. It really just lays out like this is everything we need in order to have the future we want for Massachusetts.”

dailyfreepress.com/2025/02/13/h...

EOHLC is accepting public comments on their draft regulations for complying with the MBTA Communities Act until 2/21 at 11:59 pm—and we need your help showing public support for more homes!

Submit your comments here: www.mass.gov/forms/mbta-c...

US moves backward amid steps to close racial gap in homeownership - The Boston Globe The road to purchasing a home runs uphill for many prospective buyers, but for those of color, the grade is steeper.

“All the economic benefit that comes from that system perpetuates itself, and unless you’re going to create the supply necessary to create affordable new entry points, it’s going to be very difficult to narrow the racial homeownership gap.” -CHAPA's David Gasser

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/19/r...

Is this the fix for Massachusetts’ housing crisis? - The Boston Globe Faced with a supply crunch and rising costs, the state has taken steps to make housing more plentiful and more affordable.

"As Heller puts it, “There’s been a lot of good policies that have been put in place over the last few years. And we need more.”"

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/19/n...

"As communities allow for accessory dwelling units, multifamily housing, and smaller homes on smaller lots, we are fostering an environment where people, our neighborhoods, and our economy can thrive." -Rachel Heller, CHAPA CEO

www.mass.gov/news/accesso...

Needham voters just rejected the town’s state-mandated housing plan. Now what? - The Boston Globe Needham has some time to land on a new plan, but after a divisive referendum, reaching an agreement could prove challenging.

"The overwhelming trend in Massachusetts is unchanged: cities and towns are consistently giving the green light to more housing because voters know that the future of our commonwealth depends on investing in housing," said Rachel Heller, CHAPA's CEO.

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/15/b...

State high court supports controversial housing law, but says details must be re-written - The Boston Globe The Supreme Judicial Court ruling in the Milton lawsuit is a win for Healey and Campbell, but could slow implementation of the state’s ambitious housing law.

The unanimous ruling of the MA Supreme Judicial Court answers a key question about the MBTA Communities law, which requires 177 cities and towns to make it easier to build multifamily housing in certain areas: compliance, the court said, is not optional.

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/08/b...

Quote attributed to CHAPA CEO, Rachel Heller: "The decision today is a big win, putting us on the path towards a future where everyone in Massachusetts can find a safe, affordable home in the community they choose."

CHAPA celebrates the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court's decision in AG vs. Milton as a major victory for housing. This is a critical win for ensuring that all cities and towns contribute to solving our housing shortage & provide more of the homes we for everyone to thrive.

Full statement to follow.

A group of speakers standing in a row posing for a photo on a stage with a banner with CHAPA's logo in the background

Join CHAPA on February 13th, 2025, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for CHAPA's Annual Federal Housing Policy Forum! www.chapa.org/events/chapa...

We'll cover:

- the national political outlook
- pending legislation that will impact housing policy and
- initiatives implemented by HUD

Everyone buckle up. Milton MBTA Communities decision drops at 10. #mapoli

The Insurance Crisis Continues to Weigh on Homeowners Insurance has grabbed headlines lately for good reason. As home prices remain elevated at historically high levels, rising insurance premiums are also

Rising insurance premiums are contributing to the growing costs of homeownership: from the Great Recession to today, homeowners insurance prices have increased 74% while home prices have increased over 40%. @stevekoller.bsky.social

www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/insuran...

“This is the zoning working how it was intended to work. We wanted to see more housing in town because there is a significant need for it, and now we’re getting it.” - Abby McCabe, town’s planning director

🧵 Eviction Record Sealing IS NOW the Law in MA and filings can start May 9 2025.

“Nationally, an eviction threat alone is associated with a 20 percent increase in premature death risk,—

➡️t.ly/vC0kB (1/7)

#mapoli #bospoli

Thanks for having us, Needham High!

Recently, CHAPA staff presented on housing discrimination and fair housing law at Needham High School’s Conversations on Race class. CHAPA's Municipal Engagement Program Associate, Sadé Ratliff, and instructor and psychologist, Beth Pinals, seen here.

BREAKING: Over 100 Massachusetts cities & towns have now passed zoning reform to allow for multi-family housing near transit in compliance* with their MBTA Communities Law requirements. (*subject to final approval)

More Than 100 Communities Comply With New Housing Law Adoption of a state-imposed zoning reform in communities with or near MBTA service has crossed the century mark, according to a local housing nonprofit.

"Communities across Mass. are overwhelmingly embracing the MBTA Communities Act. They understand that every municipality has a collective responsibility to ensure we are part of fostering a healthy and vibrant Commonwealth," said CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller.

www.statehousenews.com/news/housing...