Dedicated Secretariat designed to assist the administration in prioritizing housing for all residents

BOSTON – Senator DiDomenico joined colleagues in passing a reorganization plan to create a state Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, a cabinet-level position that will assist the Commonwealth with meeting its long-term goals in addressing the housing crisis and expanding safe, accessible, and affordable housing for residents.

“I am proud to support Governor Healey’s efforts as she works to address the housing crisis, one of the most pressing issues on the mind of my constituents and residents across Massachusetts,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I look forward to working with the new Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities along with my colleagues to ensure all people can afford to put a roof over their head and help residents stay in communities they have lived in their entire lives. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Senator Collins, and Senator Edwards for getting this bill passed with the urgency it deserves.”

“As a state, we must work towards a creating a sustainable and inclusive future, where no one is prevented from calling Massachusetts home simply because of the cost of housing,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am grateful that Governor Healey has brought this legislation before us, and we in the Legislature look forward to continuing to partner with the administration to support housing that is affordable and livable, vibrant communities. I’d also like to thank Senator Collins and Senator Edwards for their attention and hard work to ensure that the Senate could reach consensus on this issue in a timely fashion.”

In Massachusetts, housing-related issues are currently addressed by the administration through the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The reorganization plan passed in the Senate today would elevate housing issues to a separate executive agency tasked with supporting housing availability and assessing the Commonwealth’s progress in this area.

In response to ongoing concerns over housing availability, last session, the Massachusetts Legislature allocated over $1 billion in direct appropriations to support affordable housing in Massachusetts. This followed a session that saw the long-awaited ‘housing choice’ legislation become law with important housing production incentives, including requiring multi-family zoning near transit.

The reorganization plan is also in the House of Representatives for consideration.

###

Senator Sal DiDomenico and Representative Judith Garcia hosted high school students and their teachers from Chelsea and Everett during Student Government Day at the State House last week. DiDomenico and Garcia showed them around his office, and then gave them a tour of the Senate Chamber. Student Government Day is an informative program that enables students from across the state to participate in the legislative process through simulated committee hearings and House and Senate formal sessions. It provides the opportunity for them to exchange views with their peers throughout the Commonwealth on statewide issues. “It's always a great day to have our future leaders here at the State House and I am so glad students from our community got to learn more about the inner workings of our state government,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico.

Last week, Senator Sal DiDomenico joined the grand opening of Advent's Hood Park facility alongside Governor Maura Healey and her team in Charlestown. This new manufacturing and R&D site will bring jobs and economic growth to the community and will support the company's efforts to produce more electrochemical components for the clean energy sector. “This development represents the future of our economy, and I am so glad to see it benefiting people in Charlestown and communities throughout Massachusetts,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. “Thank you again to Advent and their leadership team for showing us around this great new facility.”