Bill > H1478

This bill establishes a comprehensive social housing program in Massachusetts by creating the Social Housing Production Revolving Loan Fund, administered by the Massachusetts Housing Finance Authority (MHFA), with $100 million in state bond funding. The program aims to develop mixed-income housing developments that remain in public or social ownership, with specific requirements including rent restrictions, energy efficiency standards, and community control. MHFA will provide financial assistance to local housing authorities to create developments with a mix of market-rate and below-market-rate units, ensuring at least 20-40% of units are affordable at specific income levels. The bill mandates that affordable units remain restricted for 99 years, require rent stabilization, target net-zero energy performance, and prohibit new gas hookups. The legislation allows MHFA to partner with quasi-governmental agencies, non-profits, housing cooperatives, and community land trusts, and ensures that construction projects will be considered public works, subject to prevailing wage laws and public procurement regulations. The bill is classified as an emergency measure to expedite the development of mixed-income social housing in Massachusetts.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1478