Senator Frederick E. Berry (D-Peabody) advocated for the inclusion of Chapter 40B Incentive Grants in the budget recently released by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. This $3.2 million grant program will assist communities who support affordable housing development by defraying municipal cost burdens.

"Although I am a strong affordable housing advocate and supporter of Chapter 40B, I understand the burden that this law places on the communities that I represent. For that reason, I have advocated for this important grant program in my dual roles as Vice-Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and member of the Committee on Housing and Urban development," said Senator Berry. "The Commonwealth is currently in the middle of an affordable housing crisis, and it is not uncommon to find hardworking individuals without a place to call home. I am confident that this proposal will offset local municipal costs associated with 40B, while also giving local cities or towns the incentive to address the serious lack of affordable housing in Massachusetts."

Chapter 40B, which has been in effect since 1969, facilitates the development of affordable housing in cities and towns that have less than 10% affordable housing units. The law has led to the much-needed development of affordable housing in communities across the state. Unfortunately, it has also placed a burden on municipal budgets due to increased populations, particularly local education resources. In this $3.2 million grant proposal, each city or town will receive a flat payment to offset municipal costs. The grants will act as incentives to encourage communities to promote affordable housing development.

Due to his strong commitment to affordable housing issues, Senator Berry is also pleased with the other affordable housing initiatives in Senate Ways and Means budget proposal. The Affordable Housing Trust was fully funded at $20 million and $4 million was allocated to the Residential Assistance for Families in Need (RAFT) program.

The Senate budget was released on Tuesday by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and will be debated by the Senate next week. After the Senate passes its version of the budget, the House and Senate budgets are reconciled in a conference committee in order to present a legislative budget proposal to the Governor. Senator Berry will continue to advocate for the 40B incentive grant program and other affordable housing initiatives in his positions as Vice-Chairman of Senate Ways and Means Committee and member of the budget conference committee.