[Massplanners] 2024 Housing Choice Designation Application is now Open!

[Bell, McKenzie (EOHLC)]

Hello Mass Planners,

The 2024 <https://www.mass.gov/how-to/housing-choice-designation-application> Housing<https://www.mass.gov/how-to/housing-choice-designation-application> <https://www.mass.gov/how-to/housing-choice-designation-application> Choice Communities Designation application<https://www.mass.gov/how-to/housing-choice-designation-application> is now open! Applications will be accepted until 5:00PM on Friday, April 26, 2024.

What is the Housing Choice Initiative?
The Housing Choice Initiative rewards municipalities that have produced certain rates or amounts of new housing units in the last five years and that have adopted housing best practices to sustain a 21st century workforce and increase access to opportunity for Massachusetts residents. Communities that achieve the Housing Choice Community designation have exclusive access to apply for the Housing Choice Grant Program<https://www.mass.gov/how-to/housing-choice-grant-program> and receive bonus points or other considerations to other participating programs<https://www.mass.gov/service-details/find-participating-housing-choice-grant-programs>.

Are there changes to the application process this year?
There are no substantial changes to the 2024 application compared to last year's application. See the Housing Choice Communities Designation application page<https://www.mass.gov/how-to/housing-choice-designation-application> for eligibility criteria and best practices, an updated US Census Building Permit Survey data of new units, and a sample application.

If you have any questions regarding the Housing Choice Designation, please email me at mckenzie.bell at mass.gov.<mailto:mckenzie.bell at mass.gov> We are looking forward to receiving new designation applications from interested communities.

Many thanks,
McKenzie

P.S.: The Community One Stop for Growth<https://www.mass.gov/guides/community-one-stop-for-growth> is currently accepting Expressions of Interest<https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-one-stop-for-growth-expression-of-interest> submissions from potential applicants prior to submitting a full application. If you have One Stop specific questions, we encourage you to review guidance materials and/or register for an upcoming webinar.


McKenzie Bell (she/her)

Senior Community Grants Coordinator

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC)

Division of Livable Communities

Community Assistance Unit (CAU)

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114

mckenzie.bell at mass.gov<mailto:mckenzie.bell at mass.gov>

[cid:032d3f8f-ca81-4f3c-abe6-4960b4897dd7]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/a23615b8beac4a20ae6385f3f3a79a02@mass.gov?anonymous&ep=signature>
Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/a23615b8beac4a20ae6385f3f3a79a02@mass.gov?anonymous&ep=signature>

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