Administration Slashes Affordable Housing By 34 Percent

By Steve Poftak
April 17th, 2008

A little-noticed provision in the housing bond bill, inserted by the Senate and supported by the Patrick administration, will require that all affordable housing projects pay ‘prevailing wage’ on construction.

The article in today’s Globe cites a Mass Housing Partnership study that found such provisions increase costs by 34%.

In the words of a leading housing advocate:

“It’s likely to increase the cost of developing affordable housing significantly,” said Aaron Gorstein, executive director of the Citizens Housing and Planning Association, an affordable housing umbrella group. “It could lead to fewer units being available for low- and moderate-income families.”