Search

Recent Report by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Examines Flaws in Multi-Million Dollar State Tax Subsidy for Market-Rate Housing Developers

Media Contact
Christine Dunn, Seven Letter
christine@sevenletter.com
617.646.1044

Report includes recommendations on how to reform HDIP to include affordability, equity and accountability.

BOSTON, MA (March 22, 2023) — A recent report on the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) written by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) provides the first overall review of this multi-million dollar state subsidy for developers of market-rate and high-priced housing in Gateway Cities.

(more…)

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, with 116+ Organizations, Urge the Trial Courts and Legislature to Extend Eviction Prevention Measures

For Immediate Release: March 20, 2023
Contact: Christine Dunn
christine@sevenletter.com | 617.646.1044

Law set to expire March 31st, failure to extend would increase avoidable evictions, cause loss of housing and homelessness, reduce rental assistance payments to landlords

Boston, MA (March 20, 2023)– Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, together with 116 other organizations and municipal officials from across the Commonwealth, sent a letter on Friday to Massachusetts Trial Court leaders, state legislative leaders, and legislators, asking them to extend “Chapter 257” eviction prevention measures. Chapter 257 was enacted to pause eviction cases for tenants with pending rental assistance applications in order to preserve tenancies and maximize rental assistance payments to landlords. The endorsing organizations are urging the Massachusetts Trial Courts and the Massachusetts Legislature to take immediate action to extend Chapter 257 beyond the current March 31st expiration date.

(more…)

MLRI’s SNAP Online Calculator Has Been Used 4,000+ Times in 2023

MLRI’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) online calculator has been used over 4,000 times since the start of 2023.

SNAP is a federal nutrition program that provides eligible households with monthly funds to buy food. The amount a household receives depends on household size, income, and certain allowable expenses. MLRI’s online calculator helps potential Massachusetts SNAP recipients and community advocates estimate the monthly SNAP benefits amount a household may receive. The calculator provides a quick check on whether a household is eligible for SNAP and whether they are getting the correct amount.

(more…)