Sen. Lydia Edwards and Rep. Mike Connolly, joined by 60 of their colleagues, launched the Housing for All caucus in the Massachusetts Legislature. At the inaugural meeting, legislators presented their priority housing policy ideas for the current legislative session on a myriad of topics including: homelessness prevention, tenant protections, support for first-time homebuyers, affordable housing production, zoning reform, revenue to support local affordability, anti-discrimination, and civil rights.
“I am proud to launch the Housing for All caucus with Senator Lydia Edwards and so many of our legislative colleagues,” Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge) said. “Today’s affordable housing emergency is without any precedent in modern history, so it requires all of us to come together to seek consensus on comprehensive solutions that can address each aspect of this ongoing crisis.”
“I’m thankful to be joined by Representative Mike Connolly and many of my colleagues from the legislature in this work,” said Senator Lydia Edwards (D-Boston). “Every day I hear from families in my district who are facing eviction, rent increases, and housing instability. I am committed to using every tool available to address the housing crisis, deliver immediate relief to families in need, and to work collaboratively to create a system that makes housing truly affordable for all.”
The purpose of the caucus is to build consensus for policies addressing all aspects of the housing crisis. Initial areas of interest include: advancing the vision of Housing as a Human Right, working to end housing discrimination in all its forms, building support for local affordable housing policies and programs, and working with DHCD Secretary and the future Secretary of Housing to improve systems currently in place. The caucus will achieve these aims by supporting legislation, advancing budget priorities, expanding the knowledge base of members, staff, and the public, and by building collaborative relationships with the administration, legislative leadership, local housing authorities and affordable housing developers, and other key community stakeholders.
The Housing for All caucus is being founded by a total of 61 legislators. In addition to Sen. Edwards and Rep. Connolly, members currently include:
Sen. Adam Gomez
Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa
Rep. Joe McGonagle
Rep. Adrian Madaro
Sen. Liz Miranda
Sen. John Cronin
Rep. Alan Silvia
Rep. Manny Cruz
Rep. Judith Garcia
Rep. Andy Vargas
Rep. Margaret Scarsdale
Sen. Julian Cyr
Sen. Becca Rausch
Rep. Mary Keefe
Rep. Kay Khan
Rep. Carmine Gentile
Sen. Michael Moore
Rep. Kip Diggs
Rep. Carol Doherty
Rep. Michelle Ciccolo
Sen. Sal DiDomenico
Rep. Carole Fiola
Rep. Michelle DuBois
Rep. Smitty Pignatelli
Rep. Christine Barber
Sen. Mike Barrett
Rep. Steve Owens
Rep. Chynah Tyler
Rep. Natalie Higgins
Rep. Tram T. Nguyen
Sen. Cindy Friedman
Sen. Pat Jehlen
Rep. Vanna Howard
Rep. Danillo Sena
Rep. Patricia Duffy
Rep. James Arena-DeRosa
Rep. David LeBoeuf
Rep. Peter Capano
Sen. Jamie Eldridge
Rep. Carlos González
Rep. Priscila Sousa
Rep. Jennifer Armini
Rep. Dawne Shand
Rep. Kristin Kassner
Sen. Jo Comerford
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven
Rep. Tony Cabral
Rep. Sally Kerans
Rep. Estela A. Reyes
Rep. Joan Meschino
Rep. Samantha Montaño
Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis
Rep. Rita Mendes
Sen. Bruce Tarr
Sen. Jake Oliveira
Rep. Rodney Elliott
Rep. Simon Cataldo
Rep. Jim Hawkins