Bill > H3988

This bill establishes the Barnstable Home Center for Housing Resources, a comprehensive housing support initiative within the executive office of housing and livable communities specifically focused on assisting residents of Barnstable. The center will provide a range of services including financial resources for homebuyers and homeowners, such as grants and low-interest loans for first-time homebuyers, emergency repair grants, and targeted support for seniors seeking to downsize or access affordable housing. Additionally, the center will offer housing counseling services like pre-purchase guidance, foreclosure prevention, and senior housing support, and will partner with developers and nonprofits to expand housing options for income-eligible residents. The bill creates a dedicated Barnstable Home Resource Fund to support these efforts, which will be financed through appropriations, grants, and donations. The center will also implement two specific senior-focused programs: a loan repair program for home safety improvements and a safe senior home program providing grants up to $5,000 for heating system replacements. The legislation requires annual reporting on the center's activities, including the number of residents served, financial resources distributed, and recommendations for service improvements, with the goal of enhancing housing stability and access for Barnstable residents.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3988