In Attleboro, Governor Healey Touts New Initiatives to Spur Housing Development in Gateway Cities, Lower Costs
Governor’s Tax Cuts Package Substantially Increases HDIP Funding,
Affordable Homes Act Would Allow Accessory Dwelling Units
ATTLEBORO – Today, Governor
Maura T. Healey took a walking tour of housing developments
in Downtown Attleboro and highlighted her administration’s
efforts to increase housing production across the state, particularly in
Gateway Cities like Attleboro, to lower housing costs. The downtown
area includes projects that are supported by Housing Development
Incentive Program (HDIP) and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which the
Governor expanded in her tax cuts package, and the Housing Stabilization Fund and
Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which the Governor proposed increasing
in her Affordable Homes Act.
“Lieutenant
Governor Driscoll and I have heard the people of Massachusetts loud and clear –
housing costs are out of control, and they need relief now. Our tax cuts
package puts money back into the pockets of homeowners and renters, and our
Affordable Homes Act will spur the housing production and empower communities
with the tools we need to lower costs,” said Governor Healey. “We’re
proud to be highlighting these initiatives in Attleboro today because
our Gateway Cities are a crucial part of the solution to high housing
costs.”
“As the
former Mayor of a Gateway City, I’ve seen how transformative programs like HDIP
are for our communities. We need to build a whole lot more housing, people need
to be able to afford to live in it, and it needs to be near transit so
residents can get around and don’t need to rely on cars,” said Lieutenant
Governor Driscoll. “Attleboro is a prime example of the great
potential of our Gateway Cities, and we are proud to support housing and
economic development in the community.”
“Tackling
the housing crisis requires bold thinking, creativity, vision, and a
multi-faceted attack but we also know that it also requires a lot of money and
Governor Healey has delivered on all fronts,” said Attleboro
Mayor Cathleen DeSimone. “The proposals in the housing bond bill will
go a long way to moving the housing needle, here in Attleboro and across
the Commonwealth. Investments in new housing production, millions
for preservation of existing housing units, tools for affordable housing,
homeownership development, green building funding, and ADU zoning are
innovative, meaningful, and sustainable initiatives. They are also
significant employment drivers and worthy investments in the future of the
Commonwealth and in our current and future residents. There is much work to be
done and we must do it together. With the Affordable Homes Act, Governor Healey
just put some serious skin in the game, but it is up to all of us to
bring it home."
Last week,
Governor Healey introduced the $4 billion Affordable Homes Act, which would
unlock the creation, preservation and modernization of nearly 70,000 homes.
Among the 28 policy initiatives included in the bill is allowing accessory
dwelling units less than 900 square feet as of right throughout the state with
the ability for communities to set some reasonable restrictions. It is
estimated this change could create more than 8,000 accessory dwelling units
over five years.
Earlier
this month, Governor Healey signed Massachusetts’ first tax cuts in more than
20 years into law. Provisions of the tax cuts package that will make housing
more affordable include:
· Housing
Development Incentive Program (HDIP) – increases annual program
cap from $10 million to $57 million in 2023, and thereafter to $30 million
annually.
· Septic
System Tax Credit – Triples the maximum credit available from
$6,000 to $18,000 and increases the amount claimable to $4,000 per year, easing
the burden on homeowners facing the high cost of septic tank replacement or
repair.
· Rental
deduction – increases rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $4,000.
· Senior
Circuit Breaker Tax Credit – Doubles the credit, from $1,200
to $2,400 for low-income seniors to help minimizes their taxes.
· Low-Income
Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) – increases annual program cap from $40
million to $60 million
· Estate Tax
– Increases the threshold from $1 million to $2 million with a
credit that mitigates the cliff effect. This change brings Massachusetts more
in line with other states and keeps pace with the rising value of homes in
communities across the state. This reform will allow seniors to pass on
generational wealth, making it more attractive to retire and age in
Massachusetts and for families to stay geographically close.
The tax cuts
package included necessary support for families, seniors and
businesses as well. On October 5, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor
Driscoll visited Gardner Elementary School and the Haverhill YMCA to celebrate
the nation’s most generous Child and Family Tax Credit. On
October 10, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited the
Northborough Senior Center to celebrate
doubling the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit and
additional tax cuts to save seniors money. On October 18, Governor Healey and
Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited St. Mary’s the Morningstar in Pittsfield
to celebrate
savings for senior homeowners. Earlier today, the Governor
highlighted her efforts to make housing more affordable on the Cape in
Yarmouth. Additional visits will be planned in the coming days to celebrate
relief for businesses and more.
沒有留言:
發佈留言