After adopting an environmentally friendly provision, the Senate on Thursday passed a roughly $1.8 billion housing bill that would recapitalize affordable housing programs and extend tax credits.
Leaders in both parties have sounded the alarm about the high and rising cost of housing in Massachusetts. In 2017, the median single-family home sale price ranged from $512,000 in Middlesex County, $475,000 in Norfolk County and $497,000 in Suffolk County.
“Our affordable housing shortage has placed the Commonwealth’s financial health at risk,” Winthrop Sen. Joseph Boncore, co-chairman of the Housing Committee, said in a statement. He called the bill a “first step toward ensuring Massachusetts develops enough affordable housing to support both its workforce and its economic future.”
Lawmakers are separately considering proposals to relax local restrictions that prevent more housing construction. Housing advocates and construction interests favor new rules to encourage multifamily homes; local officials have resisted changes that usurp their control over real estate development.
Andover Sen. Barbara L’Italien proposed an amendment to make it easier to build accessory dwellings for elderly family members and people with disabilities. A Democrat who is running for Congress, L’Italien withdrew the proposal, saying she knew it lacked the support needed to be included in the bill.
The Senate adopted a proposal from Gloucester Republican Sen. Bruce Tarr enabling state officials to spend money included in the bill on energy efficiency and climate adaptation improvements.
Gov. Charlie Baker has pushed for legislation to allow municipal governments to change their zoning rules with a simple majority vote rather than the existing two-thirds requirement. The Housing Committee sent the governor’s bill to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The Senate extended the low-income housing tax credit with an annual allocation of $25 million, which is 25 percent higher than the amount included in the House version.
“The high cost of housing across Massachusetts strains family incomes and local businesses. These investments are an important step to create more affordable, livable communities, support a growing, healthy economy and expand access to quality housing for everyone,” said Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka.