Applications due April 18 for Housing Choice Communities Designation

The application period has opened for the 2025 Housing Choice Communities Designation, with a deadline of April 18 at 5 p.m.

The Housing Choice Initiative rewards municipalities that have produced certain rates or amounts of new housing units in the last five years and that have adopted housing best practices to sustain a 21st century workforce and increase access to opportunity for Massachusetts residents.

Communities that achieve the designation have exclusive access to apply for the Housing Choice Grant Program and receive bonus points or other considerations to other participating programs.

According to the Housing Choice Initiative, Housing Choice Communities have produced 78% of all housing in the Commonwealth over the last five years.

The Housing Choice designation lasts five years, so new designees will remain designated until 2030.

Applicants will need to provide their community’s total year-round housing units from the 2020 Census and the cumulative net increase in year-round housing units from Jan. 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2024. Applicants must also show the best housing practices and policies their community has implemented.

Questions may be directed to Victoria.J.Healey@mass.gov.