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Administration highlights housing investments: FAIR expansion, revitalization and planning support
Summary
The governor's budget includes expanded funding for the FAIR program, a proposed $50 million revitalization fund, a first‑time homebuyer closing assistance program and staffing to support local zoning and permitting reforms, Secretary Ori Munson told the committee.
The budget proposal includes multiple housing initiatives the administration describes as part of a broader, long‑term housing strategy.
Why it matters: Committee members emphasized a shortage of housing stock and the need to coordinate local zoning and permitting to speed housing production and lower carry costs for developers. The administration framed its package as a mix of preservation, production and local technical assistance.
Secretary Munson said the administration held more than 20 roundtables across the Commonwealth while preparing an executive order and a housing commission report. He summarized key budget components: an expansion of the existing FAIR program, a $50 million revitalization fund to preserve older housing stock, a first‑time homebuyer program to assist with closing costs for means‑tested households, and full staffing for a planning board to help municipalities with zoning and permitting issues.
Munson said the first‑time homebuyer program is intended to be the "last dollar in" to help buyers overcome closing‑cost barriers. He also said the revitalization money responds to repeated testimony that "it's easier to preserve the housing you have." Representative Siegel and other members stressed the need to reduce local regulatory friction to expand supply and encouraged the administration's planning board idea.
The administration said it will issue a report and more detailed recommendations from the housing commission in coming weeks.
