Affordable Housing Production

Massachusetts has some of the most expensive housing costs in the country. A large reason for this is a lack of housing units that are affordable to persons at low income levels. Because persons living with disabilities are disproportionately low income, this is a significant issue for the disability community.

United Housing strongly supports the expansion of Massachusetts’ Affordable Housing Trust Fund and other programs that are used to expand the Commonwealth’s stock of affordable housing units. Federally, United Housing has strongly opposed proposed cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and to the Section 811 Program.

United Housing Joins Other Housing Groups in Protesting Patrick's Housing Cuts

August 8, 2007 - United Housing joined other housing organizations in protesting Governor Deval Patrick’s cuts to disability housing programs in his capital budget. The Governor’s budget contains significant cuts to the Community Based Housing (CBH) Program, the Facilities Consolidation Fund (FCF), the Housing Innovations Fund (HIF), and the Home Modification Loan Program. All of these bond programs are vitally important for the creation of new housing opportunities for individuals living with disabilities
View the letter in PDF (Opens in new window) →

United Housing Comments on DHCD’s Analysis of Impediments

March 15, 2007 - In late 2006, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released its Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Access and Action Steps to Mitigate Impediments (AI). Upon reading the document, members of United Housing had concerns about some of the action steps proposed and drafted a letter of response to DHCD Undersecretary Tina Brooks.

Housing Committee Expands Public Housing Accessibility

March 13, 2007 - On March 13, the Joint Committee on Housing held hearings on the Housing Bond Bill, which United Housing sent a letter in support of. This legislation provides bond authorization for a variety of affordable housing construction programs, including the Facilities Consolidation Fund, Community Based Housing, and the Home Modification Loan Program. Of particular interest in this bill was language in the Public Housing Modernization Fund section that explicitly permits local housing authorities to use these funds to update their housing units and facilities to comply with state and federal accessibility standards.
Read the text of the letter →

United Housing Suggests Housing Goals for Incoming Patrick-Murray Administration

December 7, 2006 - As part of Governor-Elect Deval Patrick's transition process, the incoming Patrick-Murray administration has solicited comments from the community on a wide range of issues, including housing. United Housing prepared a series of recommendations for the new administration on a range of disability housing issues including rental vouchers, housing construction, and the disposition of surplus state properties.
Read the text of the letter →

United Housing Questions the Candidates

August 1, 2006 - This fall, Massachusetts residents will elect a new governor to replace Mitt Romney, who decided not to seek reelection earlier this year. In an effort to raise disability housing as a major campaign issue and to ascertain the views of the candidates, United Housing has sent a questionnaire to each of the declared candidates for governor. Among the topics covered in the questionnaire include rental assistance, disposition of surplus state properties, and vistibility/universal design. Questionnaires were also sent to candidates in the race for state senate in Berkshire County, and in the Fourth Barnstable District race.

Representative Khan Offers Affordable Housing Trust Fund Amendment

October 18, 2005 - Representative Kay Khan offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Supplemental Budget that would have provided $5 million for Massachusetts' Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $3 million of which would have been designated to provide permanent and transitional housing for persons with disabilities. Unfortunately, House leadership did not allow for the amendment's consideration during debate. Click here to read United Housing's letter of support for the amendment, or click through to the next link to read the text of the amendment.

Housing Committee Considers Legislation to Preserve Affordable Housing

June 9, 2005 - On June 9, the Joint Committee on Housing considered legislation to allow cities and towns to preserve affordable housing in their communities. Preservation of affordable housing units is a vital issue for the disability community, as persons with disabilities are disproportionately low income. See one of the following links for United's testimony to the Joint Housing Committee on the importance of preserving affordable housing. Read the text of the letter →

Senate Urged to Oppose Cuts to CDBG Program

April 25, 2005 - In his FY 2006 budget, President Bush proposed severe cuts to HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This program has been one of HUD's most effective means for developing affordable housing in urban areas. A group of senators circulated a Dear Colleague letter to the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, calling on them to resist the proposed cuts and instead appropriate additional funding. Below is United Housing's letter to Senator John Kerry, asking him to sign the CDGB Dear Colleague letter. Read the text of the letter →

Joint Housing Committee Reports Out Housing Legislation 3/29/05

March 29, 2005 - On March 29, the Joint Housing Committee unanimously reported out two bills to provide funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) and the Housing Stabalization Fund (HSF). This legislation is important to help address the continuing housing crisis in Massachusetts. Next, the legislation will be considered by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets. United sent two letters to about the importance of funding for AHTF and HSF -- click below to read them.