An Act relative to Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the town of West Tisbury

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Thomas Moakley

West Tisbury’s Affordable Housing Trust may fund community housing for households up to 180% of Dukes County MHI, broadening eligible beneficiaries.

Hearing rescheduled to 06/18/2026 from 11:00 AM-11:22 AM in A-1 Hearing updated to New End Time

Summary of Bill H. 5447 (Session 194th) – Massachusetts

Purpose and intent

The bill, titled “An Act relative to Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the town of West Tisbury,” introduces a targeted modification to how the West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust may spend its funds.

It authorizes the town’s Affordable Housing Trust to use its funds to support community housing for certain income-eligible households, expanding or clarifying the scope of eligible beneficiaries.

Key provisions and changes

Location and governance: The provision applies specifically to the West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust, which is established pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 55C.

Expenditure authority: The Trust may expend funds for community housing purposes. This expands the allowable uses beyond any existing baseline by clarifying the income eligibility framework that governs the fund.

Income eligibility criteria:

Eligible households may have incomes up to 180 percent of the Dukes County median household income (MHI), with the MHI figure as reported periodically by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
This 180% threshold sets a broader eligibility band compared to traditional caps that often target lower income brackets, potentially increasing the pool of eligible beneficiaries.

Exception for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds:

Funds that are designated under the Community Preservation Act remain subject to the CPA’s own income limits, meaning CPA-funded projects retain CPA-defined eligibility rules.
In other words, the bill does not change CPA income limits for CPA-funded amounts; those funds follow CPA provisions.

Who/what would be affected

Beneficiaries: Households in West Tisbury that fall at or below 180% of Dukes County’s median household income would be eligible for community housing support funded by the West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust.

Funding and projects: The Trust’s expenditure authority is clarified to support community housing initiatives within the specified income range, potentially enabling more housing programs or subsidies at the local level.

CPA funds: Any funds allocated under the Community Preservation Act remain governed by CPA income limits, maintaining the distinction between general Affordable Housing Trust funds and CPA funds.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Housing (May 20, 2026) and later approved by the Senate (concurrence noted on May 21, 2026).

Local approval: The bill is a local-oriented measure, relying on the West Tisbury town mechanism for establishing and funding its Affordable Housing Trust, with state-law authorization facilitating the expanded spendable scope.

Overall impact

The bill broadens the eligibility framework for West Tisbury’s Affordable Housing Trust, enabling support for community housing projects serving households up to 180% of the Dukes County MHI.

It provides a clarified and potentially expanded role for local housing funds, while preserving CPA-funded project eligibility rules under their own income limits.