A Massachusetts Select Board Association webinar covered affordable housing and resources available to municipalities for developing new housing.

Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy gave an overview of the housing crisis facing the Commonwealth. He emphasized the importance of municipalities engaging in housing production, particularly the development of affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing.

Chris Kluchman, deputy director of the Community Services Division of the Department of Housing and Community Development, and Rory O’Hanlon, deputy chief of staff and director of policy for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, gave an overview of affordable housing in Massachusetts.

O’Hanlon discussed the categories of affordable housing, the funding ecosystem in the Commonwealth, and investments that have been made at the state level to confront the housing crisis.

O’Hanlon also discussed the DHCD’s housing development programs, designed to support production of new affordable housing and preservation of existing stock.

Kluchman discussed funding available to municipalities through Community One Stop for Growth, including new programs for fiscal 2023 (Collaborative Workspace, Real Estate Services and Commonwealth Places). Kluchman also discussed recent zoning reforms intended to unlock more production of affordable housing.

Kluchman concluded with a discussion about affordable housing resources available through the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and MassHousing.

• Background on Affordable Housing – Department of Housing and Community Development presentation (475K PDF)