Haverhill ~ Haverhill - In a roundtable discussion held yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined recent first-time homebuyers to discuss their experiences. The discussion was convened by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, MassHousing, and the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, with the aim of increasing access to state-sponsored first-time homebuyer programs.

Governor Maura Healey emphasized the importance of homeownership in building intergenerational wealth and achieving the American dream in Massachusetts. She stated that expanding access to these programs is crucial in helping families establish roots and strengthen communities.

Lieutenant Governor Driscoll echoed this sentiment, stating that the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to making Massachusetts more affordable and equitable for all residents. She emphasized that everyone should have the opportunity to build a stable future for themselves and their families.

The Affordable Homes Act, which aims to expand homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals, was also discussed during the roundtable. The bill will allocate $50 million for MassDreams to create first-time homebuyer opportunities in disproportionately impacted communities. Additionally, $100 million will be authorized for the Commonwealth Builder Program to encourage the construction of affordable single-family homes in Gateway Cities and similar markets. The bill also includes a new Homeownership Tax Credit for first-time homebuyers.

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Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus expressed his support for the Affordable Homes Act, stating that it provides Massachusetts families with a real chance at homeownership. He also highlighted concerns raised by homeowners about their young adult children being unable to find affordable homes, emphasizing that this bill will expand opportunities for everyone and help build stronger communities.

Clark Ziegler, Executive Director of Massachusetts Housing Partnership, praised the partnership between MHP and state and local governments in helping low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers navigate an often challenging real estate market. He highlighted their ONE Mortgage program, which has helped thousands of underserved households achieve homeownership.

Chrystal Kornegay, CEO of MassHousing, emphasized the importance of affordable homeownership in allowing individuals to establish roots in a community and accumulate equity and wealth that can be passed down to future generations. She stated that creating more opportunities for homeownership is crucial in addressing housing and wealth disparities in Massachusetts.

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This roundtable discussion was part of the administration's statewide Housing Campaign, which aims to address the urgent need for lower housing costs throughout the state. In addition to this discussion, the administration also awarded seven supportive housing projects and will be highlighting the groundbreaking of the Curtis Apartments in Worcester later this week. Previous events have focused on identifying housing solutions with the business industry, ending veteran homelessness, and highlighting the impact of housing on healthcare.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration's partnership with cities and towns to find housing solutions has also been a key focus. This includes working with the MBTA to support transit-oriented development and celebrating community developers who are making a difference in providing affordable housing options.

Overall, this roundtable discussion highlighted the importance of expanding access to first-time homebuyer programs and creating more opportunities for affordable homeownership in Massachusetts. The Affordable Homes Act is seen as a crucial step towards addressing housing disparities and building stronger communities throughout the state.

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