Timilty Passes Legislation Creating Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities
Dedicated Secretariat designed to assist the administration in prioritizing housing for all residents
(BOSTON – 04/13/2023) Senator Walter F. Timilty, along with his colleagues in the State Senate, on Thursday passed a reorganization plan to create a state Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities.
This position is a cabinet-level post that will assist the Commonwealth with meeting its long-term goals in addressing the housing crisis as well as expanding safe, accessible, and affordable housing for residents.
“The creation of a new Secretariat will bring a cabinet-level focus to the Commonwealth’s housing crisis,” said Timilty. “Strong, vibrant, and livable neighborhoods are the foundation of great cities and towns. With accessible and affordable housing, Massachusetts will enhance economic opportunity, build strong, safe, and stable neighborhoods, and provide quality housing.”
In Massachusetts, housing-related issues are currently addressed by the administration through the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The reorganization plan passed in the Senate today would elevate housing issues to a separate executive agency tasked with supporting housing availability and assessing the Commonwealth’s progress in this area.
In response to ongoing concerns over housing availability, last session, the Massachusetts Legislature allocated over $1 billion in direct appropriations to support affordable housing in Massachusetts. This followed a session that saw the long-awaited ‘housing choice’ legislation become law with important housing production incentives, including requiring multi-family zoning near transit.
The reorganization plan is also in the House of Representatives for consideration.