Posted on December 1, 2025
BOSTON --- In its continued support to communities looking to create affordable housing opportunities, MHP is launching the latest round of its intensive trust technical assistance program and a new series of affordable housing trust trainings. These opportunities build on MHP’s history of helping municipalities develop their local infrastructure to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.
Intensive Technical Assistance Program for Affordable Housing Trust Funds
Each year, MHP selects up to four communities to provide concentrated technical assistance in the creation of a municipal affordable housing trust or to support an existing trust. The technical assistance lasts about 10 months. Most recently MHP assisted three communities with creating goals and strategies for their housing trust and one community with establishing a housing trust.
Apply here if you are interested. The application deadline is December 22, 2025. The awards will be
announced in early January 2026. For more information, contact MHP Senior Program Manager Shelly Goehring.
Affordable Housing Trust and CPA Conference
MHP's annual training series to support affordable housing trust funds and community preservation committees in building their local housing infrastructure will be held on consecutive Wednesdays beginning December 3, 2025. The three-part series, which is virtual, is from noon to 1:30 pm. Sessions will be recorded.
December 3: Maps, Housing Trust TA and Other Resources for Local Boards and Commissions
Join us for the unveiling of our interactive map that explores affordable housing trust funds and community preservation communities in Massachusetts. Learn about two technical assistance programs with application cycles opening soon: Intensive Technical Assistance for Affordable Housing Trust Funds and a pilot program, Boards and Commissions Mini-Boost Grant Program.
Presented by MHP Research Manager Ellen Marya, MHP Senior Program Manager Shelly Goehring, and Messina College student and special project intern Richie Cherry.
December 10: Dispute resolution for municipal boards and staff
It’s not uncommon for conflict to arise during public meetings. This training will help you in understanding conflict and different personal conflict styles. Strategies for managing conflict in public meetings will be presented. Learn about underlying dynamics of conflict and ways to reframe concerns to support resolution.
Presented by UPSide413 Director of Dispute Resolution Kayla Allen.
December 17: ADUs and the property tax exemption for affordable housing
Communities have a number of tools they can use to support affordable housing development. Presenters will explain the Massachusetts Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) law and new property tax exemption for affordable housing. A new ADU incentive program aimed at supporting the creation of ADU homes will be outlined.
Presented by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities ADU Coordinator Claire Morehouse, MHP Director of Homeownership Eliot Schmiedl, and Town of Egremont Housing Committee Co-Chair Doug Mishkin and Chief Procurement Officer Mary Brazie.
Register here for one or more sessions.
For more information on the trainings or general information about how MHP can help your community use local funds for affordable housing, contact MHP Senior Program Manager Shelly Goehring.
At least 150 communities in the commonwealth have adopted municipal trusts. MHP has created a Municipal Affordable Housing Trust guidebook and a Municipal Housing Trust Operations Manual to help municipal officials delve step-by-step into the details of how to operate new or established housing trusts.
For press inquiries, contact MHP Communications Manager Lisa Braxton.