The Affordable Homes Act (AHA) authorized $5.16 billion in spending over the next 5 years to advance affordable housing across Massachusetts. This historic piece of legislation was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey on August 6, 2024 and includes nearly 50 policy initiatives to address rising housing costs across the state.
The AHA includes one of The Arc of Massachusetts’ top priorities—allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built by-right in single family zoning districts. ADUs are an important tool to provide the opportunity for living with independence in one’s community while ensuring support and supervision. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is promulgating regulations to ensure smooth implementation when this portion of the law goes into effect in February 2025.
Additionally, the AHA specifically supports individuals with disabilities in the following ways:
- $60 million ADU home modification loan/grant program to assist homeowners and tenants with a household member with blindness or severe disabilities [7004-0069];
- $70 million loan program for development of community-based housing or supportive housing for individuals with mental illness and individuals with intellectual disabilities [7004-0070];
- $55 million loan program for development or redevelopment of community-based housing or supportive housing for those who are institutionalized or at risk of institutionalization and are not eligible for housing through other means [7004-0071];
- $50 million to implement the recommendations of a special commission in the form of loans for the development of community-based housing for individuals with mental health challenges or intellectual or developmental disabilities [4000-8200];
- Renters can ask a court to seal an eviction record in specific cases [Section 52];
- $15 million to increase accessibility in public housing [7004-0074];
The Arc of Massachusetts was named to serve on a special commission to study and make recommendations on accessibility in housing for people with disabilities and seniors to increase the ability of individuals to live in a safe, dignified, and healthy environment in their residences [Section 127]. Other special commissions were also created, including focusing on individuals with extremely low incomes [Section 128] and affordable and healthy senior housing [Section 126].
Please reach out for more detailed information on ADUs by contacting Nora Bent, Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships (nbent@arcmass.org) or Jose Lopez, Policy Officer (lopez@arcmass.org).
For More Information:
- Session Law – Acts of 2024, Chapter 150: An Relative to the Affordable Homes Act
- The Affordable Homes Act: Smart housing, livable communities fact sheet and ADU FAQs
- For specific comments/questions about ADUs: EOHLCADUHomes@mass.gov
