Amendment ID: S2834-17

Amendment 17

Commission to Study the Definition of Affordable Housing

Messrs. Tarr and Payano move that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following section:-

"SECTION XX. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there is hereby established a special commission to review the definition of low or moderate income housing, as currently defined in section 20 of chapter 40B of the General Laws. The commission shall, but not be limited to, evaluating the effects of including mobile homes and group homes, manufactured homes, in-law apartments and any first time home buyers participating in any state or federal assistance program  in said definition.

(b) The commission shall consist of 8 members: 2 members of the senate, one to be appointed by the senate president and one to be appointed by the minority leader; 2 members of the house of representatives, one to be appointed by the speaker and one to be appointed by the minority leader; the secretary of housing and economic development, or a designee; the undersecretary of the department of housing and community development, or a designee; a representative from  the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials; and a representative from MassHousing.

(c) The commission shall submit its report and findings, along with any legislative recommendations, to the joint committee on housing and the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives no later than six months following passage of this act."