CREW Boston

What’s New with the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act?

On October 3, 2017, the CREW Boston’s Public Strategies Committee Breakfast Series explored the Community Preservation Act (CPA).  A discussion was led by Kathleen O’Donnell, a long-time CREW member, real estate attorney and a Steering Committee member of the MA Community Preservation Coalition and Christine Poff, the recently appointed Director of the Boston Community Preservation Committee.
 
Kathleen spoke about the history and status of CPA statewide.  To date, 172 communities, including Boston, have now adopted CPA and over $1.75 billion has been raised.  CPA’s uses have expanded in recent years and funds can now be used for historic preservation, open space, outdoor recreation and community housing.  Over 9,000 projects have been approved by CPA communities.  The Commonwealth does still provide matching funds for CPA communities and these funds are estimated to be a 20% match this year.

Christine just joined the City of Boston and is leading their entry into CPA funding.  By adopting the CPA in November 2016, the City created a Community Preservation Fund. This fund is capitalized primarily by a one percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills, that began in July 2017. The City will use this revenue to fund initiatives consistent with CPA guidelines: affordable housing, historic preservation, open space and public recreation.  The City is working to form it’s CPA committee and plans to have an application and award of CPA funds early next year.

Register Online

Event Registration is either not opened yet, already closed or not available for this event. Please contact laura@crewboston.org with any questions.

Confirmed Attending

  • Rebecca Bachand
  • Juliet Borja
  • Juliet Borja
  • Jane Carbone
  • Jennifer Crampton
  • Donna Denio
  • Dena Fazio Kavanagh
  • Fran Gershwin
  • Judy Jacobson
  • Marty Jones
  • Dani Justo
  • Isabel Kaubisch
  • Kimberly Martin-Epstein
  • Jo-Ann Marzullo
  • Tabetha McCartney
  • Kathleen O'Donnell
  • Carmen Panacopoulos
  • Jennifer Platt
  • Rebecca Schofield
  • Rebecca Sullivan