Advocacy and Public Policy
Metro Housing’s advocacy efforts focus on improving access to programs that advance our mission with a focus on state and federal legislation that has the greatest impact on the low and moderate-income families and individuals.
Our priorities this year are:
- Increasing resources for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), while adjusting program elements to make the voucher easier to use by families with low incomes.
- Enhancing Massachusetts’ support for homelessness prevention efforts, particularly Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT).
- Maintaining support for the Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) in order to help the 20,000 families assisted through the HCEC every year in Metro Housing’s region.
- Furthering renter/tenant protection legislation such as Access to Counsel, sealing of eviction records, and establishing an office of fair housing at the state level.
Since its very beginning, Metro Housing has strongly believed that all sectors must work together to effectively address the issues that prevent access to affordable housing. We educate decision-makers about these issues through policy reports, testimony, and in-person meetings to advance our ability to serve the residents of our region.
Below are a series of documents that outline Metro Housing’s current policy priorities, including our response to Governor Healey’s FY24 budget. More details will be forthcoming as the 2023 legislative session continues.
Housing Policy Recommendations for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, August, 2023
Metro Housing FY24 Budget Priorities
Response to Governor Healey’s FY24 Budget Proposal – March 7, 2023
Metro Housing FY24 Legislative Priorities
Testimony by Metro Housing
Joint Committee on Housing Oversight Hearing Regarding Housing Needs, (5/30/23)
Congressional Black Caucus Institute at Roxbury Community College (7/29/23)
Testimony in Support of The Affordable Homes Act (H.4138) (1/18/24)
Testimony to Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets in Support of The Affordable Homes Act (H.4138)
How You Can Help
Help us help families by spreading the word about Metro Housing|Boston’s solutions to problems with access to affordable housing.
- Share our Facebook and Twitter messages with your friends.
- Register to vote! Elected officials listen when they know their constituents are concerned.
For more information, please contact Chris Norris at (617) 425-6606 or chris.norris@metrohousingboston.org.