Funding Resources for Housing Strategies

Below are several possible funding resources that may be useful in implementing one or more of the strategies compiled in the Regional Housing Strategy Fact Sheets. Additionally, the Cape Cod Housing Finance Research document provides information on potential new or underutilized housing program funding tools, as well as identified needs and opportunities. They are grouped into broad categories of what the funding programs may be used for though many programs support a wide variety of initiatives. 

Planning & Zoning 

• Chapter 40R - The Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District Act seeks to substantially increase the supply of housing and decrease its cost by increasing the amount of land zoned for dense housing. Upon state review and approval of a local overlay district, communities become eligible for payments from the state based on the zoning adopted and housing units permitted. Additionally, towns with a Chapter 40R district can receive additional funds to cover the costs of educating school-aged children who move into those districts through Chapter 40S.
• Community One Stop for Growth Grant Program - The Community One Stop for Growth program provides a single portal for several different state grant programs that support initiatives along the development continuum, from planning and zoning to construction. Community One Stop for Growth program grants are awarded based on the project’s nexus with housing, transportation, infrastructure, economic development, and community development.
  • The Community Planning Grant Program, which funds a variety of activities related to community planning such as developing a Master Plan, Housing Production Plan, or other strategic plans, and zoning revisions.
  • The Rural Development Fund, which funds community planning, predevelopment, and construction projects in rural and small towns - towns with populations less than 7,000 or with a population density of less than 500 persons per square mile (based on 2020 US Census data). 
  • The Housing Choice Grant Program is a program for designated Housing Choice Communities (communities that have met certain housing production targets or established housing production best practices). The competitive program awards grants to support housing initiatives. 
  • The HousingWorks Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant municipalities and other public entities can apply for to receive funds for infrastructure activities that support housing initiatives. 
  • The MassWorks Infrastructure Program provides competitive grants to projects for capital funds for infrastructure projects that support housing and other development and create jobs. 
• District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) Program - The DLTA program provides funding annually to all 13 regional planning agencies who then offer assistance to cities and towns with projects across the Commonwealth, including with projects such as new or amended zoning.
• Planning Assistance Grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) - Grants are available to the Commonwealth’s municipalities, and regional planning agencies acting on their behalf, to support efforts to plan, regulate (zone), and act to conserve and develop land consistent with the Massachusetts Sustainable Development Principles.

Housing Development & Rehabilitation

• Capital Improvement and Preservation Fund (CIPF) - CIPF is a state program that provides funds for the preservation and improvement of affordable rental developments including properties at risk of losing their affordability restrictions. For-profit and non-profit developers and local housing authorities are eligible to apply for the funds.
• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) - This federal program supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities such as infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, homeowner assistance, and more. Some towns are direct recipients of Community Development Block Grant funds. Communities that do not receive CDBG funds directly, with a population of less than 50,000, are eligible to apply to the state’s competitive grant program.
• Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation - This organization provides loans and technical assistance, among other things, to non-profit developers of affordable housing.
• Community One Stop for Growth Grant Program - The Community One Stop for Growth program provides a single portal for several different state grant programs that support initiatives along the development continuum, from planning and zoning to construction. Community One Stop for Growth program grants are awarded based on the project’s nexus with housing, transportation, infrastructure, economic development, and community development.
  • The Community Planning Grant Program, which funds a variety of activities related to community planning such as developing a Master Plan, Housing Production Plan, or other strategic plans, and zoning revisions.
  • The Rural Development Fund, which funds community planning, predevelopment, and construction projects in rural and small towns - towns with populations less than 7,000 or with a population density of less than 500 persons per square mile (based on 2020 US Census data). 
  • The Housing Choice Grant Program is a program for designated Housing Choice Communities (communities that have met certain housing production targets or established housing production best practices). The competitive program awards grants to support housing initiatives. 
  • The HousingWorks Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant municipalities and other public entities can apply for to receive funds for infrastructure activities that support housing initiatives. 
  • The MassWorks Infrastructure Program provides competitive grants to projects for capital funds for infrastructure projects that support housing and other development and create jobs. 
• Community Preservation Act (CPA) Funds - CPA is a state law passed in 2000 that allows Massachusetts communities to conduct a referendum to add a small surcharge on local property taxes, which is matched with funds from the statewide Community Preservation Trust Fund. CPA funds can be used to support recreational projects, protect open space, assist local affordable housing development, and preserve historic buildings and resources. All Cape Cod towns have adopted and collect CPA funds.
• HOME Investment Partnership Program - A federally funded program that provides funding to non-profit or for-profit developers for affordable rental housing production and rehabilitation. The Barnstable County HOME Consortium administers HOME grant funds for affordable rental housing in Barnstable County. 
• Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF) - A state funded program for municipalities, non-profit, or for-profit developers to support affordable rental housing production and rehabilitation.
• Local Initiative Program - A state program that provides technical assistance to communities and developers working together to develop affordable rental housing.
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program - LIHTC is a federal program administered at the state level to provide tax credits to developers who create and rehabilitate affordable rental housing. Projects that are awarded LIHTCs seek investors for their projects who in turn receive tax credits.
• Massachusetts Housing Partnership - This non-profit provides communities, developers, and residents in Massachusetts with financial and technical resources to develop, maintain, and secure affordable housing. 
• MassDevelopment - The state's development finance agency and land bank provides financing and technical assistance for affordable housing projects. 
• MassHousing - This quasi-public agency provides financing to developers and homeowners/home buyers for housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households. 
• Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) - This program administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities' (EOHLC) Division of Community Services allows cities and towns to promote housing and commercial development through real estate exemptions on all or part of the increased value (the "Increment") of improved real estate.

Assistance for Homeowners, Home Seekers, and Renters

• Massachusetts Housing Partnership - This non-profit provides communities, developers, and residents in Massachusetts with financial and technical resources to develop, maintain, and secure affordable housing.
• MassHousing - This quasi-public agency provides financing to developers and homeowners/home buyers for housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households. 

Other Housing Resources on Cape Cod

• Cape Cod Community Development Partnership - This nonprofit serves the eight towns of the Lower and Outer Cape, providing rental housing, home ownership education programs, and building support for affordable housing initiatives in the region. 
• Housing Assistance Corporation - This nonprofit serves Cape Cod and the Islands and provides support services for those seeking to secure and maintain housing, including shelters and homeless services, and educational programs.