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Senate to Consider AHA Legislation Next
Sudbury’s Representative in the Massachusetts House of Representatives is feeling good this week. Representative Carmine Gentile’s office sent out an announcement lauding the passage of the Affordable Homes Act by a vote of 145-13 in the House. The bill included $1 million for the Sudbury Housing Trust, $1 million for the Wayland Housing Authority, and $500,000 for the Lincoln Affordable Housing Trust. But it’s not just the earmarks for his district that have him fired up:
“The Commonwealth is one of the most expensive places in the country to buy a home or rent an apartment. The funding, tax credits and policy changes in this bill are expected to create more than 40,000 new housing units and make it easier for our residents to live, work, and raise a family.”
Gentile’s announcement characterized the Affordable Homes Act as an historic investment in housing because it: “includes $6.5 billion in bond authorizations, tax credits, and over 20 policy initiatives that promote housing production, facilitate the development of affordable housing, and preserve public housing in Massachusetts.”
The investments in housing are just one facet of the bill. If it becomes law, it would allow accessory dwelling units (up to 900 square feet) by-right in single family zoning districts in all Massachusetts communities. (Just don’t tell your in-laws.)
The Affordable Homes Act, as passed by the House, would also provide $1 billion for the expansion of the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority’s system to approximately two dozen communities. The bill now goes to the Senate.