Just what is this Housing Bond Bill?

January 18, 2024
Massachusetts is in a housing crisis.

Massachusetts is in a housing crisis. The reasons for soaring rents and housing prices will vary depending on who you ask, but the fact is, there are simply not enough “housing units” for everyone who wants to live in the Commonwealth. Additionally, too many homes are unhealthy to live in due to lead paint, mold, asbestos, and pests. Given these challenges, it is especially important for you to know about and speak up for the Housing Bond Bill, which is a massive piece of state legislation that generally comes up every five years.


Officially, this “omnibus” bill is called the Affordable Housing Act (H.4138), and the Massachusetts Legislature is beginning to focus on it this month, with a hearing held by the Joint Committee on Housing. This bond bill is incredibly important for affordable, healthy housing because it could authorize upwards of $4.12 billion in capital spending to improve, decarbonize, and expand state-owned public housing and also capitalize a variety of housing development and rehabilitation funds and loan programs. Additionally, Governor Healey proposes several policy changes in this housing bond bill that would: encourage housing production; advance fair housing and tenant protections; and provide new “tools” so cities and towns can do more locally to address the housing crisis.


Get Involved


If the Affordable Housing Act (aka the Housing Bond Bill) sounds like a good idea to you, here’s how you can get involved:


  • Learn more about the many components of the legislation. 


2-page fact sheet     4 detailed briefs    126-page bill


  • Review what local legislators and organizations are saying.​​​​​​​


16 Western MA Legislators    Western MA Housing Coalition 


  • Contact the Joint Committee on Housing


This month, email Housing Committee Co-Chairs Senator Lydia Edwards and Representative James Arciero and cc your State Rep and Senator. Tell them which parts of the Affordable Housing Act are important to you and what you think should be added. In coming months there will be additional opportunities to advocate for this legislation, but now is a key time to speak up. Contact information for: MA Representatives      MA Senators     Who is my State Rep and Senator?


  • Connect with the Western MA Network to End Homelessness


Sign up for policy updates and advocacy alerts | Facebook    Twitter/X


 Thanks for being an advocate! Questions? Contact PHIWM Policy Director Andrea Freeman


share this

Related Articles

We are all on the same journey

April 16, 2025
Wanda Givens is a member of the leadership team for the Women of Color Health Equity Collective (WOCHEC). WOCHEC offers training and consulting services to address issues of white supremacy, health inequity, and more. As part of her work at WOCHEC, Wanda facilitates a training about cultural humility. "What I love most about facilitating Cultural Humility is not what people learn about each other, but what they learn about themselves. The more we know about how we get to be who we are, the more we can understand and relate to someone else’s journey. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone come to the realization that they are more like others in the room than they are different. Our paths may take different roads, but essentially, we are all on the same journey." Did you know the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide includes a listing of organizations like WOCHEC who can help guide your organization on its anti-racism journey and more!
Webinar. Know Your Air: Updates From Healthy Air Network. April 30, 2025.

Free webinar 4/30/25, Know Your Air: Updates from the Healthy Air Network

April 15, 2025
Join us for an engaging webinar hosted by the Healthy Air Network—a coalition working to improve air quality, boost climate resilience, and promote environmental justice across Massachusetts. Learn about their: Newly redesigned website Expansion efforts into Franklin County, North Quabbin, and eastern Mass Transportation work 

Free Webinar 4/25, Tips for Effectively Using 413Cares

April 14, 2025
Have you used 413Cares to search for services? Do you want to learn the best tips and practices for navigating the platform efficiently? Join us for an informative session designed to help organizations and professionals maximize their use of 413Cares. This webinar is ideal for professionals who are newer to 413Cares, as well as those who have been using the platform and want to refine their search strategies and gain deeper insights. What You’ll Learn: Guidance for using 413Cares effectively Best practices for finding and accessing services Answers to common questions and tips