Press Release  In Attleboro, Governor Healey Touts New Initiatives to Spur Housing Development in Gateway Cities, Lower Costs

Attleboro — Today, Governor Maura T. Healey took a walking tour of housing developments in Downtown Attleboro and highlighted her administration’s efforts to increase housing production across the state, particularly in Gateway Cities like Attleboro, to lower housing costs. The downtown area includes projects that are supported by Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which the Governor expanded in her tax cuts package, and the Housing Stabilization Fund and Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which the Governor proposed increasing in her Affordable Homes Act. 

“Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I have heard the people of Massachusetts loud and clear – housing costs are out of control, and they need relief now. Our tax cuts package puts money back into the pockets of homeowners and renters, and our Affordable Homes Act will spur the housing production and empower communities with the tools we need to lower costs,” said Governor Healey. “We’re proud to be highlighting these initiatives in Attleboro today because our Gateway Cities are a crucial part of the solution to high housing costs.” 

“As the former Mayor of a Gateway City, I’ve seen how transformative programs like HDIP are for our communities. We need to build a whole lot more housing, people need to be able to afford to live in it, and it needs to be near transit so residents can get around and don’t need to rely on cars,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Attleboro is a prime example of the great potential of our Gateway Cities, and we are proud to support housing and economic development in the community.” 

“Tackling the housing crisis requires bold thinking, creativity, vision, and a multi-faceted attack but we also know that it also requires a lot of money and Governor Healey has delivered on all fronts,” said Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone. “The proposals in the housing bond bill will go a long way to moving the housing needle, here in Attleboro and across the Commonwealth. Investments in new housing production, millions for preservation of existing housing units, tools for affordable housing, homeownership development, green building funding, and ADU zoning are innovative, meaningful, and sustainable initiatives. They are also significant employment drivers and worthy investments in the future of the Commonwealth and in our current and future residents. There is much work to be done and we must do it together. With the Affordable Homes Act, Governor Healey just put some serious skin in the game, but it is up to all of us to bring it home." 

Last week, Governor Healey introduced the $4 billion Affordable Homes Act, which would unlock the creation, preservation and modernization of nearly 70,000 homes. Among the 28 policy initiatives included in the bill is allowing accessory dwelling units less than 900 square feet as of right throughout the state with the ability for communities to set some reasonable restrictions. It is estimated this change could create more than 8,000 accessory dwelling units over five years. 

Earlier this month, Governor Healey signed Massachusetts’ first tax cuts in more than 20 years into law. Provisions of the tax cuts package that will make housing more affordable include: 

• Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) – increases annual program cap from $10 million to $57 million in 2023, and thereafter to $30 million annually. 

• Septic System Tax Credit – Triples the maximum credit available from $6,000 to $18,000 and increases the amount claimable to $4,000 per year, easing the burden on homeowners facing the high cost of septic tank replacement or repair. 

• Rental deduction – increases rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $4,000. 

• Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit – Doubles the credit, from $1,200 to $2,400 for low-income seniors to help minimizes their taxes.  

• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) – increases annual program cap from $40 million to $60 million 

• Estate Tax – Increases the threshold from $1 million to $2 million with a credit that mitigates the cliff effect. This change brings Massachusetts more in line with other states and keeps pace with the rising value of homes in communities across the state. This reform will allow seniors to pass on generational wealth, making it more attractive to retire and age in Massachusetts and for families to stay geographically close. 

The tax cuts package included necessary support for families, seniors and businesses as well. On October 5, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited Gardner Elementary School and the Haverhill YMCA to celebrate the nation’s most generous Child and Family Tax Credit. On October 10, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited the Northborough Senior Center to celebrate doubling the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit and additional tax cuts to save seniors money. On October 18, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited St. Mary’s the Morningstar in Pittsfield to celebrate savings for senior homeowners. Earlier today, the Governor highlighted her efforts to make housing more affordable on the Cape in Yarmouth. Additional visits will be planned in the coming days to celebrate relief for businesses and more.  
 

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