Guidance  FY27 HousingWorks Infrastructure Program Guidelines

Date:	01/23/2026
Organization:	Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

Program Information and these Guidelines have been developed for applicants to the FY27 HousingWorks Infrastructure Program (HWIP). The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) may issue additional guidance, clarification, or revisions which shall be incorporated by reference into these Guidelines. This document is intended to clarify, interpret, and explain existing program requirements, and to provide guidance on EOHLC’s applicant selection process. It is not intended to be exhaustive.

FY27 HousingWorks Infrastructure Program Overview

The HousingWorks Infrastructure Program (HWIP) grant funds may be used for a variety of activities related to horizontal infrastructure projects associated with housing development.

Maximum Award

There is no set minimum or maximum amount that an eligible applicant may request. Historically, pre-development awards have ranged from $100,000 to $500,000 and construction awards have ranged from about $1M to $5M. Applicants should request funding to support a complete project or complete phase(s) and must provide clear justification for the requested amount. Applicants are encouraged to conduct due diligence to determine accurate estimates of project costs to better understand actual costs of the proposed project.

• Projects that have secured funding from other government and/or private sources will be more competitive. While a cash match is not required, a match may factor in EOHLC’s applicant selection process. Projects that include at least a 10% local cash match will receive bonus points in application review. To be considered, any match funds must contribute to the direct costs of the infrastructure work. Note that staff time is not considered a cash match.

EOHLC reserves the right to reduce the amount of the award from the original request, and to deny an award to applicants with existing or past violations of EOHLC contractual obligations. Funding availability is subject to the final state budget and capital investment plan.

Project Examples

Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:

1. Improvements to physical infrastructure near a permitted housing project that will support and yield new and/or additional affordable housing units.
2. Engineering designs for water and sewer infrastructure improvements that will increase capacity for new housing production.
3. Physical infrastructure improvements near public transit stations and residential areas to increase safety, mobility, accessibility, increase alternative modes of transportation, and further support housing.
4. Improvements to sidewalks, roads, or other multi-modal infrastructure to increase safety, mobility, and accessibility in the area surrounding housing and adjacent neighborhood(s).
5. Critical upgrades to outdated water, sewer, and other infrastructure to support housing.

Eligibility & Use of Funds

Eligible Applicants

All Massachusetts municipalities are eligible for consideration of an FY27 HWIP grant.

Other public entities and private firms, such as but not limited to Redevelopment Authorities, Economic Development Industrial Corporations, Water and Sewer Districts, other bodies created by legislative act to serve a municipality, and home builders, are ineligible to apply as the lead applicant. Ineligible entities must apply in partnership with an eligible entity.

Housing Moratoria or Restrictive Bylaws

Municipalities with adopted housing moratoria or other restrictive bylaws that do not allow for at least a 5% increase in housing production over a single year are ineligible. Email McKenzie Bell, Senior Community Grants Coordinator, at [e-mail] with questions about this eligibility factor.

MBTA Community Compliance

Municipalities that are MBTA Communities that EOHLC has determined to be noncompliant under Section 3A of the Zoning Act (MGL c.40A) and corresponding regulations for Multi-Family Zoning Districts (760 CMR 72.00) are ineligible for this grant program.

Use of Funds

Funding is available through the “Infrastructure” category of the Community One Stop for Growth development continuum. Grants will fund a variety of activities related to horizontal infrastructure projects associated with imminent housing development on public or private land. Eligible activities include but are not limited to design, construction, repair, and other improvements to infrastructure to advance projects that support housing development, preservation, or rehabilitation such as but not limited to:

• Sewer lines, septic systems, and other sanitary waste disposal systems, water lines, wells and water treatment systems;
• Utility extensions;
• Streets, roads, curb cuts, and other transit improvements such as crosswalks, traffic calming measures, pedestrian and bicycle ways; and
• Other related horizontal infrastructure work adjacent to planned or imminent housing improvements.

Grant funds shall not be used to support:

1. Any activities related to assertion of the General Land Area Minimum (GLAM) (1.5% of total land area) safe harbor under 760 CMR 56.03(b)(Chapter 40B);
2. Routine administrative tasks of municipal staff, including, but not limited to, grant application preparation, procurement, or grant administration;
3. Vertical construction or building and foundation activities;
4. Parking decks or garages; or
5. A development with primary municipal use.

Timeline of Funds

FY27 grants are expected to be awarded in the fall of 2026. As a four-fiscal year grant, FY27 funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2030.

Grant Application

Full Application

The HousingWorks Infrastructure Program is part of the Community One Stop for Growth (COSG), a single application portal and collaborative review process of community and economic development grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum.

The Full Application is organized into the following sections:

• Form 1 – Applicant Information
• Form 2 – Project Information
• Form 3 – Certification of Application Submission Authority

To be considered for funding through the COSG, applicants must include complete responses to all required questions.

Application Review

EOHLC reserves the right to request additional information from the applicant or external sources as may be necessary to complete the application review. EOHLC also reserves the right to recommend partial grant awards, as deemed appropriate. Full Applications will be scored for the responsiveness to the following criteria:

• Project Need: What community and housing needs are met by the project? Evaluation will consider factors such as impact on housing development, preservation, and/or rehabilitation; impact on other municipally identified needs; and advancing opportunities for target populations.
• Project Readiness: Is the project scope reasonable and achievable within the proposed timeline? Evaluation will consider factors such as timeline feasibility and scope; identified leadership with experience and ability to execute the project; implementation readiness; and inclusion of a comprehensive public engagement plan.
• Project Financial Feasibility: Is the project’s budget reasonable? Evaluation will consider factors such as whether the project is fully or partially funded; reasonableness of cost estimate; and inclusion of cash match(es). In-kind contributions are not match-eligible.
• Progress & Commitment to Date: Does the applicant show commitment to the project through past activity and investment? Evaluation will consider factors such as progress to date; prior state/federal funding; and zoning or local by-law changes related to the project.
• Project Outcomes & Impact: What are the projected outcomes of this project and the impact this project may have on the community? Evaluation will consider factors such as impact of the project relative to the community and responsiveness to identified need; tangible housing outcomes; community engagement plan; and implementation strategies.

Evaluation will also consider the following factors:

• Past performance with all prior EOHLC capital grants and capital grant contracts;
• Regional/geographic diversity of awardees;
• Whether an applicant is a first-time EOHLC capital grants recipient;
• Prior EOHLC support or investment;
• Successful implementation of a prior EOHLC capital grant;
• Environmental resiliency; and
• Alignment with Secretariat priorities.

Grant Award

Award of Funds and Grant Contract

Successful applicants must be ready to enter into a contract with EOHLC within 30 days after receiving contract documents. Funding is subject to approval of the EOHLC operating and capital budgets. Grant projects may begin as of the execution of the contract. If selected, an awardee will be required to submit the following forms to complete a contract:

• Commonwealth Standard Contract Form, filled out and e-signed by the Awardee
• Commonwealth Scope and Budget Form (available from EOHLC)
• Completed Contractor Authorized Signature Listing Form (available from EOHLC)
• Completed Budget and Fiscal Exercise Form (available from EOHLC)

Grant Distribution and Invoicing

Granted funds will be disbursed on a cost reimbursement basis. Only work completed during the period of the executed contract will be eligible for reimbursement. Upon receipt of all required deliverables, the grantee will be reimbursed for the balance of outstanding grant funds.