Housing Families Celebrates the Signing of the Monumental Affordable Homes Act 

This week, Housing Families’ CEO, Laura Rosi, had the pleasure of attending Governor Healey’s signing into law the historic and monumental $5.16B Affordable Homes Act.  This legislation has been Housing Families’ advocacy priority since its unveiling nearly a year ago.  Since then, we have been working alongside numerous partners to ensure that critical pieces within the bill – that are most central to our mission of achieving housing equity and wellbeing for all – remained intact throughout the legislative process.   

A few key wins included in the AHA’s 49 policy initiatives include: $1.6B for over 43,000 public housing units to be restored and brought back online; the Supportive Housing Pool Fund to provide critical operational assistance for supportive housing services; eviction sealing to protect tenants; and increased home ownership opportunities. 

We are thrilled to be celebrating the passage of this bill with everyone, and, as Senator Lydia Edwards pointed out, this is not “mission accomplished.”  There is still much work to be done, but we are grateful that Housing Families and everyone else in the housing field will have more tools in the toolbox to work with as we continue serving unhoused families and individuals in our communities. 

Thank you, Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary Ed Augustus, Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Chair Michael Rodrigues, Chair James Arciero, Chair Lydia Edwards, and all our tireless partners in leading the advocacy including CHAPA, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, United Way, Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, and all members of the Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition for your leadership and persistence in passing this critical bill. 

Read more about the Affordable Homes Act at these resources: 

Affordable Homes Act Fact Sheet 

Governor Healey’s Affordable Homes Act Press Release 

United Way’s Blog Post on AHA’s Impact 

CHAPA’s Statement on Passage of the Affordable Homes Act 

Photo Source: MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities