New Affordable Homes Act Commissions Address Housing Needs of Seniors, Individuals with Disabilities, and Low-Income Residents

BOSTON – Three new commissions created by the Affordable Homes Act have begun working to address the unique housing challenges of seniors, extremely low-income residents and people with accessibility needs.

The Accessible Housing Commission, Extremely Low-Income Housing Commission and Senior Housing Commission, created when Governor Maura Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act into law, have convened and started work toward making recommendations to meet the needs of those who face unique obstacles in finding housing

“The housing crisis has impacted everyone in one way or another, but for some, finding housing that fits their needs is exceptionally challenging,” said Ed Augustus, secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. “These commissions are tasked with identifying those challenges and providing concrete recommendations and strategies to ensure everyone in Massachusetts – particularly seniors, residents on extremely low incomes and people with accessibility needs – can access the safe, affordable and dignified housing they need.”

Massachusetts’ first comprehensive statewide housing plan, “A Home for Everyone,” has identified 222,000 homes that need to be built in order to end the housing crisis in Massachusetts.

These three commissions are focused on housing needs often not met by the market alone. Each commission will submit a report with their recommendations to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the House and Senate as well as the Joint Committee on Housing by the end of the year. Those recommendations will then be used to shape policy and programs.

About the commissions

The Senior Housing Commission is tasked with making recommendations on creating more affordable and healthy senior housing, while also examining strategies to better align housing with homecare and healthcare policies. The commission is also examining potential programs to allow more residents to age in their community, including possible incentives for families to older adult family members.

The Extremely Low-Income Housing Commission is tasked with making recommendations on expanding the supply of housing that is affordable for those whose household incomes are less than 30 percent of the area median income. The commission is reviewing and evaluating federal, state and local subsidies that support creating this type of housing.

Lastly, the Accessible Housing Commission is tasked with studying and making recommendations on accessibility in housing for individuals with disabilities and seniors, to increase their ability to live in safe, dignified and healthy homes. This commission is examining accessibility features in residential housing, including features for those with physical, sensory, intellectual, mental health or neurodivergent challenges.

A list of commission appointees can be found here.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made housing a top priority, starting with the creation of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in 2023. Since then, the administration has initiated a comprehensive approach that includes passage of the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, implementation of the MBTA Communities Law and sizable increases in housing tax credits and subsidies.

The $5.12 billion Affordable Homes Act, in addition to record spending authorizations on housing, created nearly 50 new policy initiatives, including authorizing accessory dwelling units under 900 square feet by right, creating a Seasonal Communities designation and the creation of a commercial property conversion tax credit program.

Kevin Connor

Deputy Director of Communications

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

Kevin.Connor@mass.gov

617-874-0126