April 7, 2005
The Honorable Mark Montigny
State House, Room 511-C
Boston, MA 02133
The Honorable David Flynn
State House, Room 466
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Senator Montigny and Representative Flynn:
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 37 organizations, representing more than100,000 individuals throughout the Commonwealth.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments relative to the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets' consideration of legislation to provide funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) and the Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF).
We are pleased that the Joint Committee on Housing unanimously reported HB 1720 and SB 791, An Act Relative to Financing the Production of Affordable Housing, out of committee favorably on March 29, and are writing to you today to express our continued strong support for these bills. This legislation would provide $100 million for the AHTF that would be used for creating new housing units for low income individuals and families. These bills 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.
United Housing appreciates the Committee's efforts to address the severe affordable housing shortage in the Commonwealth and looks forward the passage and enactment of HB 1720 and SB 791.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Members of United Disability Housing Partnership