Washington (May 9, 2024) – The Massachusetts Congressional delegation of Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5), Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chairman Richard E. Neal (MA-1), Chairman James P. McGovern (MA-2), Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-3), Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-4), Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-6), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-8), and Congressman Bill Keating (MA-9) announced a total $155 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a wide range of activities to address the state's most pressing local housing needs, provide flexible resources to build homes, support renters and homeowners, provide emergency assistance to people experiencing homelessness, create jobs, and improve public facilities, community resilience, and local economies.
“Far too many Massachusetts residents can’t find and afford adequate housing. In partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, we're tackling this crisis head-on,” said Democratic Whip Clark. “This federal investment will allow Massachusetts to build more affordable housing units, support our most vulnerable residents, and provide shelter to those facing homelessness. Altogether, this will increase the housing supply, lower costs for renters and homeowners, and help families get by and get ahead.”
“As we confront a housing crisis in Massachusetts, those confronting the toughest problems must be at the heart of the solutions,” said Senator Markey. “This funding will supercharge community-driven initiatives to shelter those without access to housing, prevent homelessness, and drive investments in affordable and quality housing. I will continue to fight for funding to ensure that everyone has a roof over their heads. Stable housing for all helps build the pathways for health and well-being, academic success, and economic prosperity for families and communities.”
“America is in the middle of a housing crisis, but thanks to this $150 million in federal funding for Massachusetts from the Biden administration, the Commonwealth will be able to increase its housing supply, help people keep a roof over their heads, and make housing more affordable. This investment will make a real difference and I'll keep fighting for funding like this to fix the housing crisis,” said Senator Warren.
“Housing is a human right,” said Congressman McGovern. “The Biden-Harris Administration continues to deliver on their commitments to ensure every American has access to a safe, stable place to call home. This important new federal funding will help cities like Worcester, Leominster and Northampton transform our neighborhoods, address homelessness, build more affordable housing, and support proven transitional housing models. I couldn’t be more excited to continue partnering with local officials to bring more federal funding back to Massachusetts and create more livable communities.”
“Communities like Lowell, Lawrence, Fitchburg, and Haverhill are doing remarkable work to create more affordable housing, boost their economies, and support those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This federal investment is a testament to those efforts, and our gateway cities will be able to use these funds to expand the impact of their programs,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Federal investments like this are only possible when we have strong collaboration across the local, state, and federal levels of government. I’m committed to our continued work with community leaders to make sure we get the federal funding necessary to make our district a better, more affordable place to call home.”
“The cost of housing is the biggest challenge facing Massachusetts. Paired with state-and-local zoning reform that permits more multi-family and mixed-use development, these federal grants will foster the creation of affordable housing to help address the cost-of-living challenge for Bay Staters,” said Congressman Auchincloss.
“Having a safe place to live is a basic human right. Yet Massachusetts’ housing affordability crisis has left too many of our constituents struggling to pay rent, let alone purchase a home. While we need a range of different solutions to fix this problem, this new federal funding will make critically important investments in support of more livable, affordable, and resilient communities,” said Congressman Moulton.
“Safe and affordable housing is a human right, and the first, second, and third issue that is top of mind for families in the Massachusetts 7th and throughout the Commonwealth,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “This is a necessary investment that will help address our housing crisis, support people experiencing homelessness, increase affordable housing inventory, and provide essential resources for our constituents.”
“I am pleased that HUD has agreed to direct this federal funding to Massachusetts, and I am grateful to my House colleagues and Senators Warren and Markey for their assistance in making this happen,” said Congressman Lynch. “This funding will help communities across the state with housing, shelter, and substance abuse programs. Many cities and towns in my district, like Boston, Quincy and Brockton, face significant challenges with affordable housing and homelessness. In Boston alone, there are over 40,000 families on the waiting list for public housing, and these federal grants will help us address those needs.”
“Southeastern Massachusetts has long struggled with affordability and these grants will go a long way to help our communities address the housing crisis among other issues facing our region,” said Congressman Keating. “We know that when government provides support and stability to those most vulnerable among us – whether through job training or affordable housing or substance abuse assistance – the entire community benefits. I look forward to working with our communities as they use these funds for the benefit of our communities and to support our friends and neighbors.”
“These annual formula grants represent a significant part of the Biden-Harris administration’s nationwide investments in housing and equitable economic development,” said HUD New England Regional Administrator Juana B. Matias. “We are grateful to our Massachusetts federal delegation for supporting the more than $155.5 million dollars now accessible to 38 municipalities across Massachusetts. This infusion of funding will play a crucial role in bolstering affordable housing production, fostering inclusive economic growth, and addressing homelessness prevention.”
Communities will now propose how to direct this critical formula funding to high-impact eligible activities through local programs. Funding listed below represents total formula funding allocations across the following HUD programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); Recovery Housing Program (RHP); HOME Investment Partnerships Program; Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG); Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA); and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF). Based on eligibility guidelines and local initiatives, communities did not receive funding from every program.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts TOTAL: $55,547,256
- Arlington: $1,059,520
- Attleboro: $387,847
- Barnstable: $313,652
- Boston: $27,421,556
- Brockton: $1,896,135
- Brookline: $1,381,330
- Cambridge: $5,864,183
- Chicopee: $1,170,806
- Fall River: $3,915,447
- Fitchburg: $1,349,618
- Framingham: $495,542
- Gloucester: $678,722
- Haverhill: $947,975
- Holyoke: $2,023,346
- Lawrence: $2,451,008
- Leominster: $473,434
- Lowell: $3,123,979
- Lynn: $3,075,180
- Malden: $3,341,534
- Medford: $1,384,050
- New Bedford: $3,733,486
- Newton: $3,548,147
- Northampton: $632,617
- Peabody: $2,390,088
- Pittsfield: $1,242,394
- Plymouth Town: $395,902
- Quincy: $2,806,910
- Revere City: $745,808
- Salem: $1,087,373
- Somerville: $3,229,747
- Springfield: $6,399,885
- Taunton: $1,635,810
- Waltham: $871,572
- Westfield: $387,173
- Weymouth Town: $726,945
- Worcester: $6,979,590
- Yarmouth: $128,173
- Barnstable County: $404,490
HUD TOTAL: $155,648,230