The Long Haul
We’ve come so far. There’s further to go.
Here’s the story of a little island making big waves:
NOVEMBER 2020The beginning
Deep in COVID, watching real estate prices soar and the island’s workforce leaving, two housing advocates wondered if it wasn’t time to resurrect the old housing bank campaign. (It had failed twice, coming close as far back as 2005 before being knocked down by the MA Real Estate lobby).
They put the word out and formed a Steering Committee of Islanders and washashores, young and old, from every town.
The group Zoomed on Saturday mornings. From couches and kitchen tables, over countless cups of coffee, in PJs, with family members peeking into the frame, “they” became “we.”
MAY 2021Creating a vision
We drafted a vision for the housing bank, shared it widely, asked for feedback, and integrated it.
DECEMBER 2021Taking it to the towns
We pitched An Act Establishing the MV Housing Bank to all six town Select Boards. They endorsed it!
APRIl-May 2022Taking it to the people
Landslide majorities in all six towns approved An Act Establishing The MV Housing Bank at both town meeting and the ballot box.
JULY 2022The Housing Review Board
A Housing Bank Review Board was appointed by our six towns to consider amendments to An Act Establishing The MV Housing Bank. They made no substantive changes.
JANUARY 17, 2023The Bill Goes to Beacon Hill
Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Dylan Fernandes formally filed An Act Establishing the MV Housing Bank.
MARCH 23, 2023Martha Goes to Beacon Hill
We shipped up to Boston 300 strong! We met with legislators, rallied on the capitol steps, and generally knocked legislators’ socks off. Weeks later, the place was still buzzing!
OCTOBER 18, 2023The Affordable Homes Act
Governor Healey filed a historic housing bond bill (The Affordable Homes Act), including a statewide local option for a transfer fee.
PRESENT DAY
Rest assured:
The wheels of government turn slowly.
There is sufficient time to suggest amendments to best meet the Vineyard’s needs.
We’re monitoring the legislative process closely and will update you (and this page) regularly!
The Affordable Homes Act is considered by the following HOUSE committees
The Joint Committee on Housing*
The House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets*
The House Ways and Means Committee*
The House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading*
*note: these committees can propose amendments
before landing on the House floor for further consideration and amendments.
Along the way, Islanders have opportunities to flood legislators with supportive testimony and suggestions about how the transfer fee provisions can be amended to facilitate the creation of the Housing Bank as MV’s regional affordable housing commission.
The Affordable Homes Act is considered by the following SENATE committees
The Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets*
The Senate Ways and Means Committee*
The Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading*
*note: these committees can propose amendments
before landing on the Senate floor for further consideration and amendments.
More amendment testimony from Islanders.
LIKELY SUMMER 2024‘The Governor signs the Affordable Homes Act into law.
At the next Annual or Special Town Meeting and/or Election, towns vote to adopt the legislation
The Affordable Homes Act goes to a Conference Committee made up of three members from each branch (two from the majority party and one from the minority) to resolve differences in the Senate and House bills.
Note: The Affordable Homes Act will likely have multiple versions and bill numbers before it gets to the Conference Committee.
Along the way, we will work with our elected representatives and the Healey Administration to amend the bill to better match the provisions in our original bill allowing the Island to constitute MV’s proposed housing bank.
Following the completion of reconciliation by the Conference Committee, the House and Senate vote on the final bill without further amendments and then send it to the Governor.