The additional $25 million in funding for the statewide CPA Trust Fund cleared another important hurdle today with the release of the legislature's final version of the FY14 state budget.  Once the Governor signs the bill, expected by July 10th, the last step will be for the state to close the books on FY13 and calculate the size of the surplus.  If the expected surplus remains, the $25 million will be deposited in the CPA Trust Fund just prior to the November 15th distribution of funds to CPA communities.

Read on for all the details on today's budget announcement...

It can often be difficult to determine if repairs to existing affordable housing units are an allowable use of CPA funds.  The determining factor is if the work can best be described as "preservation," which is allowable, or "rehabilitation," which is generally not allowed.  Making such a determination can be a challenge!

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recently issued guidance to housing authorities on exactly which tasks they consider to be allowable under the CPA legislation, and which are not.  This document will be most helpful to Community Preservation Committees as they consider whether to fund work on existing affordable housing units. 

Click here to read DHCD's guidance on affordable housing preservation and rehabilitation work...

Many CPA communities have taken steps this year to ensure that all parcels of land acquired with CPA funds are covered by the appropriate restrictions, as per the requirement in Section 12(a) of the CPA legislation.  On land acquired for conservation or recreational purposes, that process involves writing a Conservation Restriction (CR) to cover the property, obtaining approval by the state and filing the restriction at the Registry of Deeds.  

Why the renewed focus on this important CPA requirement? As of last year, key grant programs run by the state now require that the proper restrictions be in place on all CPA acquisitions prior to a city or town receiving their grant reimbursement check.  If you haven't already, now would be a good time to review all land acquired by your city or town with CPA funds to determine if those restrictions have been completed.

Learn more about Conservation Restrictions along with contact information to help complete your CRs...  

The Community Preservation Coalition is pleased to introduce our new Communications Director, Ria Knapp. Ria comes to us from The Small Planet Institute, where she conducted research and editorial projects with author Frances Moore Lappé on the root causes of global environmental and political challenges. Prior to that, Ria worked at Climate Counts and Patagonia Inc.

From Dublin, Ireland to Portland, Oregon, she has lived in a number of diverse locations, which have deepened her appreciation and understanding of community-based initiatives. After returning to the east coast, Ria ran the 2009 Boston Marathon and recently earned a Master's from Harvard University, where she studied land conservation, sustainable development, food systems, and alternative transportation.

Finding housing for veterans has become a growing challenge in the Commonwealth. But one South Shore town is tapping their community preservation funds to make sure veterans have an affordable place to live. 

Read on about this innovative housing development...