Housing

Provide adequate funding streams to support housing production
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Historically, the federal government has been a key player in providing affordable housing. Declining federal funding for housing in Massachusetts has been a long-documented problem. Federal support for affordable housing fell by seven percent or nearly $29 million from 2006 to 2007. Similarly State funding for affordable housing has not kept pace with housing production costs. Paradoxically, since 2004, the State has increased funding for housing programs in the Department of Housing and Community Development. In 2008, the budget for DHCD programs will be $199 million, which represents the highest level of State support since 1991. Because State funding remained low, the current spending level is 23 percent less than it was in 1991 and only half the $410 million committed in 1989.