As efforts are underway to create an abundant and affordable housing supply over the long term, many households need assistance today to get by, much less get ahead. Cost burdened households, especially severely cost-burdened households, are often forced to sacrifice other necessities such as healthy food and healthcare to maintain their housing. Furthermore, these households are one emergency expense from losing their housing, and unsurprisingly, forced to rely on costly emergency systems of care. Even households with multiple wage earners often need assistance and are eligible for support such as housing vouchers, heating assistance, homeownership subsidies, and other housing related assistance.
Additional funding, improved application processes, and a broader suite of supports can make an immediate benefit for households struggling today. With better access to mobile vouchers and improved availability of rental housing, households would have more options to stay in their community or move to a new one for work, school, or other reasons. These actions will facilitate a shift from emergency systems to cost-effective upstream interventions that enable households to remain stably housed:
Provide direct subsidies for households struggling to afford rent and heat
Many households find themselves living paycheck-to-paycheck, often one emergency expense away from facing eviction. In many of these cases, households are forced to prioritize expenses and forgo other necessary housing costs (e.g. utility payments), groceries, or medical care. EOHLC provides ongoing assistance to eligible households through mobile rental vouchers (MRVP and others) as well as payment assistance for heating bills through LIHEAP. Both programs have undergone changes to expand the benefit provided to households, though this impacts the average cost and the number of households that can be supported. Expanded funding, especially for rental vouchers, will enable more households to take advantage of these programs and the housing stability they provide.
Increase access to homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers
The Affordable Homes Act expanded homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate- income individuals. The bill authorized funding for MassDreams to create first-time homebuyer opportunities for households in disproportionately impacted communities and for Commonwealth Builder Program to spur the construction of affordable single-family homes in Gateway Cities and other similar markets. The bill also creates a new Homeownership Tax Credit for first-time homebuyers. EOHLC will continue to examine ways to equitably and cost-effectively support first-time homebuyers.
Make it easier for residents to find and apply for affordable rental housing
EOHLC recognizes the complexity of the affordable housing application process can create added stress on individuals and families when they turn to the state for support. The online CHAMP, RAFT, and HEAP applications have lowered the barriers to access for state public housing, state vouchers, emergency rental and utility assistance. In addition, Housing Navigator, the state’s online affordable housing search tool has made it easy to find developments with affordable and learn about the status of openings. Even so, households still must apply separately to each development, many of which have distinct application requirements. To solve this problem, EOHLC has begun work on a new Common Application for privately owned and operated affordable housing. This unified application portal will provide a simpler, more transparent process for households to apply for and secure tenancy in any deed-restricted affordable rental housing development statewide.
Ensure residents have access to workforce development and training opportunities, affordable broadband internet, and social services
The Healey-Driscoll Administration will continue to invest in successful state funded self-sufficiency and economic mobility programs to residents of public housing and state voucher participants that leverage partnerships with local entities providing job training, educational, financial coaching, and asset building accounts. Future efforts can be informed by evaluation of the Learn to Earn pilot being led by EOWLD that seeks to mitigate cliff effects for adults increasing their earned income while receiving public benefits.
Help tenants avoid unreasonable rent hikes and fees
Many stakeholders engaged through the planning process asked the Commonwealth to take bold action to prevent tenants from being subject to sudden and extreme rent increases and fees. Governor Healey has already filed legislation to prohibit the requirement that tenants pay broker fees. EOHLC will continue working with stakeholders to explore policies that provide low-income households in privately operated housing with more predictability about their future rent. In partnership with the Attorney General’s Office, EOHLC will also work to ensure that rent and sale price algorithms do not artificially manipulate the housing market.