Governor Healey-Driscoll Administration Unveils Landmark Affordable Housing Bond Bill in the Box District
Yesterday, The Neighborhood Developers (TND) had the honor of welcoming Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Edward Augustus, and Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz to the Box District for the historic announcement of the Affordable Homes Act.
For years, the people of Chelsea, Revere, Everett and other cities across Massachusetts have grappled with the rising cost of housing. The Affordable Homes Act represents a significant step towards making housing more affordable for all residents. This legislation allocates an impressive $4 billion to construct and renovate over 65,000 residences, addressing both the need for affordable housing and environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions.
This bill provides opportunities for low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities to achieve homeownership.
We are honored to be part of this historic occasion and to collaborate with partner organizations to see this vision a reality.
The Affordable Homes Act also introduces several other policy measures that our Housing Equity Committee members have advocated for, including simplifying the majority voting threshold for inclusionary zoning ordinances and bylaws, streamlining the process for using state land for housing, and implementing eviction sealing for tenants years after no-fault evictions.
At TND, we have been dedicated to housing affordability for 45 years. We firmly believe that everyone deserves a set of keys that opens the door to a welcoming home. Affordable housing is central to our mission, and we have made significant strides towards that goal. In 2023, our portfolio grew to 649 homes serving 1,450 people, and we have ongoing projects that will create another 300 homes over the next several years. We are thrilled to continue doing our part and building more livable communities.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to advancing this mission.
In the words of Governor Healey, "The cost of housing is the biggest challenge facing the people of Massachusetts. We said from day one of our administration that we were going to prioritize building more housing to make it more affordable across the state." The Affordable Homes Act is the largest housing investment in Massachusetts history, and together, we have the opportunity to create a state where people can afford to build their future.
