March 29, 2005
The Honorable Brian Joyce
State House, Room 413A
Boston, MA 02133
The Honorable Kevin Honan
State House, Room 38
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Senator Joyce and Representative Honan:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments relative to the Joint Committee on Housing's consideration of legislation to provide funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) and the Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF).
United Housing is a cross-disability coalition of housing organizations from across Massachusetts advocating for increased housing opportunities for low-income and homeless individuals with disabilities. United Housing includes over 35 organizations, representing more than 100,000 individuals.
We are writing to you today to express our support for HB 1720 and SB 791, An Act Relative to Financing the Production of Affordable Housing. This legislation would provide $100 million for the AHTF that would be used for creating new housing units for low income individuals and families. The bill would also provide $100 million for the HSF, which helps developers and municipalities to acquire, preserve, and rehabilitate affordable housing. HB 1720 and SB 791 are important pieces of legislation to address the continuing housing crisis in Massachusetts.
Additionally, United Housing would urge the General Court and the Department of Housing and Community Development to adopt regulations to incorporate universal design standards in the construction of new housing units so they can accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities.
Low-income and homeless persons with disabilities share a need for affordable housing units that are accessible to their needs. By incorporating universal design standards during the construction process, we will be able to increase the number of accessible units and save considerable money when compared to retrofitting existing units.
United Housing appreciates the Committee's efforts to address the severe affordable housing shortage in the Commonwealth and looks forward to working with its members to continue to address this issue.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Members of United Disability Housing Partnership
cc: Members, Joint Committee on Housing