COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

STATE SENATOR
MICHAEL O. MOORE

SECOND WORCESTER DISTRICT
State House, Room 518, Boston, MA  02133 (617) 722-1485

 

July 22, 2009

Senator Michael O. Moore Votes to Preserve Affordable Housing and Protect Low-Income Tenants

BOSTON – The Senate on Tuesday passed legislation to preserve the stock of publicly-assisted affordable housing units across the state and protect the rights of tenants by implementing earlier notification standards for property owners and establishing a non-partisan advisory board representing tenants, property owners, municipalities and preservation experts to work with the state in developing future regulations.

“Given the current fiscal climate of the Commonwealth, it is imperative that we continue to provide an affordable housing option for low income individuals,” said Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury). “The passage of this legislation will help to preserve affordable housing and maintain a better quality of life for thousands of Worcester County residents.”

The bill targets the state’s estimated 90,000 government-assisted rental housing units, including so called "expiring use" units whose affordability restrictions can end by owners prepaying their subsidized mortgages or not renewing their rent assistance contracts upon expiration. Massachusetts is at risk of losing more than 23,000 units by the end of 2012. Many of the residents in “expiring use” buildings are seniors or people with disabilities.

The Senate legislation establishes provisions that will help preserve as many units as possible. It requires owners who want to sell affordable rental property to offer a purchasing right-of-first-refusal to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) or the local municipality where the property is located.

The bill implements a string of notification requirements also aimed at preserving affordability and protecting tenants. They include the following:

• Written notice must be given at least two years prior to the affordability restriction’s termination;
  
• Written notice of intent to complete termination must be given at least one year before termination;
  
• Owners must give notice of intent to sell the property; and
  
• Owners, upon notice of intent to sell, must make documents, including architectural plans, capital expenses and the number of vacancies available for review by DHCD to help determine property value and purchasing options.

The legislation further ensures the protection of tenants by preventing unfair rent increases for three years after the termination of affordability restrictions and forbidding no-fault evictions.

Finally, to oversee compliance with the bill and secure future safeguards, the bill gives DHCD authority to establish a 13-member advisory committee consisting of housing advocates, municipal representatives, developers and the real estate bar that will provide regulatory advice and recommendations.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for further action.

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