As part of the passage of an historic $5.16 billion housing bill earlier this month, $8 million in authorizations have been secured to support housing initiatives in local communities in Essex County, including $4.25 million for housing-related initiates in Ipswich, Rockport and Gloucester.
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr secured the funds through six amendments he put forth to support local initiatives in the Affordable Homes Act (H.4977), which was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey on August 6.
This legislation and related initiatives will support the production, preservation and rehabilitation of more than 65,000 homes statewide over the next five years. The landmark housing bill into law described as “the most ambitious legislation in Massachusetts history” to tackle the state’s greatest challenge: housing costs.
The Affordable Homes Act and related initiatives will support the production, preservation and rehabilitation of more than 65,000 homes statewide over the next five years. The legislation authorizes $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years along with 49 policy initiatives to counter rising housing costs caused by high demand and limited supply.
"The ongoing shortage of housing in Massachusetts is a serious problem, and one that communities and organizations in our region are working diligently to address,” said Tarr. “These earmarks create the potential for meaningful and increased partnership between state government and those working locally to create housing and the infrastructure to support it.”
The legislation authorizes $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years to counter rising housing costs, and the state’s ongoing housing shortage. Six of Tarr’s amendments were adopted in the Senate’s version (S.2834) of H.4977 and then were included in the final conference committee report that became law.
They include:
