Congressmen Auchincloss, Torres Host Housing Discussion In Newton
NEWTON, MA — After touring Newton Housing Authority's Norumbega Gardens Wednesday, Congressmen Jake Auchincloss and Ritchie Torres hosted a follow-up discussion with local housing leaders and key stakeholders at Auburndale Community Library.
The discussion centered around creating affordable housing and how Newton's housing priorities relate to the work being done on the House Financial Services Committee, of which both Auchincloss and Torres are part of.
House Financial Services recently advanced $327 billion in recommendations on housing provisions as part of the $3.25 trillion reconciliation package, which is still in negotiation.
The recommendations include $80 billion for repairs, $10 billion to remove health hazards, $82 billion to build affordable units, $90 billion for rental vouchers, $10 billion to help first-generation homebuyers, and $6 billion to improve climate resiliency of homes.
Auchincloss said their goal is to keep as much funding for housing as possible in the bill and ensure that there are additional funds for other programs and services, including those that are accessible and fair to people with disabilities.
"We have underfunded housing," said Auchincloss. "The biggest concern we hear from experts and advocates is that we need to better capitalize the programs that work to meet the need of residents and focus on orienting these programs better to the 21st century."
The Congressmen also noted that another goal is to ensure communities in the Commonwealth are creating as many housing units as jobs.
This effort could involve the use of incentives to give states and local communities a reason to change their zoning laws, inducing more housing supply.
Source:
Annie Sandoli