Massachusetts!

There are 45,600 state-aided public housing units, of which 32,100 are for
elderly residents, 13,600 for families and 1,900 for people with special
needs.!
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Governors Cabinet: There is a housing representative in the governors cabinet, his
name is Jay Ash and he is the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development. He
issues reports directly to the Governor.!
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When Ash began in January 2015 there were 1,500 families in state-funded motels,
currently the number is down to 331.!
Ash and the administration have focused on ramping up a program started under
Democratic Governor Deval Patrick that now provides up to $8,000 to help pay for
rent, utilities, and other housing expenses so families can stay in their homes, or
defray the costs of staying with a friend or relative.!
Ash has led efforts to increase affordable housing production, to redevelop and
modernize public housing communities, and to substantially reduce the number of
homeless families sheltered in motel rooms.!
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Financing Programs/ Affordable Rental Development:!
Provides funding opportunities to for-profit and non-profit developers. The programs
offered encourage the development of affordable rental projects that serve both
families and individuals with annual incomes at or below 80% of area median income.!
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Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Eligible applicants include governmental
subdivisions, community development corporations, local housing authorities,
community action agencies, community-based or neighborhood-based non-profit
housing organizations, other non-profit organizations.!
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Housing Stabilization Fund: The Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF) is a state
funded bond program that assists in the production and preservation of affordable
housing for low and moderate-income families and individuals.!
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Low Income Housing Tax Credit: ( http://www.mass.gov/hed/housing/
affordable-rent/low-income-housing-tax-credit-lihtc.html) !
- Depends on investor capital rather than just direct government subsidies, the LIHTC
has imposed market discipline that results in long term stability for the projects.
Investors assume significant risks and assert strict business discipline in selecting
projects and overseeing their development and long-term operations.!
- Projects can qualify for two types of credits: a 9% credit, or a 4% credit.* Tax credits
can be claimed by the investors for 10 years.!
- Both for-profit and nonprofit developers can qualify for the credit. At least 20% of the
units must be reserved for persons with incomes at/or below 50% of the area median
income adjusted for family size; or at least 40% of the units must be made affordable
for persons with incomes at/or below 60% of the area median income adjusted for
 family size. In addition, the project must be retained as low-income housing for at
least 30 years.!
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Continuum of Care Program:!
Homeless individuals and families with a disabling condition and a long term need for
ongoing support services to help them get and maintain housing are eligible for
Permanent Supportive Housing.!
Much of the funding for the CoC programs comes from the US Department of
Housing and Urban Development. Full reports are available on ( http://
www.mass.gov/hed/housing/stabilization/continuum-of-care-programs.html )!
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State Government Organizational Chart: http://www.mass.gov/bb/gaa/fy2010/
app_10/ga_10/hcdefault.htm !
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Department of Housing and Community Development Organizational Chart: http://
www.mass.gov/bb/h1/fy15h1/brec_15/dpt_15/haiocd.htm!
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Operating Spending:!
Income: At almost every LHA (local housing authorities) , the greatest source of
income is tenant-paid rents, which pay for about 75% of the total state-wide operating
costs of state-aided public housing. In some cases, LHAs have additional revenues
from roof antennas, coin-operated laundry, or other sources that are also included in
the operating budget. The second largest program funding source is the operating
subsidy from DHCD, which comes from a program-specific line item in the annual
state operating budget.!
Operating expenses are dedicated to paying for the day-to-day business of the
housing authority which includes employee salaries and benefits.!
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