The candidates in the 10th Norfolk District State Representative race agreed to participate in an online debate — responding to questions suggested by Observer readers — in writing, in the Observer. One question and the candidate’s respective responses will be published for a total of seven weeks leading up to the election.

Here is question number 7 and Rep. Roy’s response on housing for seniors.

What can or should be done to provide housing for seniors that is actually affordable (as opposed to 55+ housing that still requires a robust middle- to upper-middle class income)?

Housing for seniors has been a priority for me and the legislature and we have taken bold action on that issue. In August, the Legislature passed the Affordable Homes Act, the largest housing investment in Massachusetts history and a powerful first step in tackling the state’s housing affordability crisis. The legislation authorizes $5.16 billion in bond authorizations and tax credits to spur housing production in Massachusetts, while implementing sweeping policy initiatives to facilitate the development of affordable housing and preserve public housing in Massachusetts.

Among the many policy initiatives included in the bill to create more housing, particularly for seniors, is a provision to permit one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) equal to or less than 900 square feet to be built by-right on a property in single-family zoning districts in all Massachusetts communities. This will allow seniors the option to stay with their property, stay in their community, and offer a younger generation or other family members to live there as well.

The bill also includes $2 billion to support the repair, rehabilitation, and modernization of over 43,000 public housing units across Massachusetts, with 25 per cent of the funds dedicated to preserve housing for those with incomes below 30 percent AMI. Our public housing also includes a large population of seniors and this funding will help support more housing for seniors.

The bill also includes $200 million to support Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) who partner with developers to add mixed-income developments on LHA land, leveraging funds to maintain and preserve public housing while increasing the overall housing supply.

There is an additional $200 million to support innovative and alternative forms of rental housing, including single person occupancy (SPO) units, transitional and permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness, housing for seniors and veterans, and transitional units for persons recovering from substance use disorder. Twenty-five per cent of funds must be used to fund projects which preserve housing for those with incomes below 30 per cent AMI. In the bill, there is also $60 million to modify homes of individuals or families with disabilities or seniors so that they may maintain residency or return home from institutional settings.

We also doubled the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to $800 million, doubling the Housing Innovations Fund to $200 million and nearly tripling the Housing Stabilization and Investment Fund to $425 million included which provides resources to create or preserve affordable housing for households earning less than 100 per cent of AMI and $200 million to accelerate the development of mixed-income multifamily housing.

The bill also establishes an Office of Fair Housing and Fair Housing Trust Fund, mandating the establishment of a statewide housing plan, and establishing special commissions on extremely low-income housing, senior housing, and accessible housing for persons with disabilities.

Locally, we included the following funding in the bill which is targeted for senior housing in Franklin:

• $3,000,000 shall be expended for the Franklin Ridge senior housing project; and
• $1,000,000 shall be expended for the Franklin Housing Authority

I’m incredibly proud of the investments included in this bill, which together make the largest investment in affordable and middle-income housing in the history of the Commonwealth. Given that Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states in the entire country to buy a home or rent an apartment, the funding and tax credits provided by this bill will be crucial as we work to ensure that every Massachusetts resident can afford to live here, work here, and raise a family here, and seniors aren’t priced out of communities where they want to live.

As we enter into the final days of the campaign, I invite readers to view the video below which highlights work we have done together over the past 12 years.

In addition, I invite you to view the graphic below which also highlights our work together on behalf of Franklin and Medway.

I thank you for your continued support and ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 5.