Senator Chandler serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing and Urban Development which is responsible for all matters concerning housing and urban renewal, subdivision control, condominium laws, and related matters. These are some of her recent accomplishments in this area:

Municipal Relief (2003)
Tax increment financing for urban center housing zones and district improvement financing. This will help to promote the creation of housing and overall economic revitalization of town centers like downtown Worcester.

Economic Stimulus Package (2003)
This legislation established the State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, which provides a 20% tax credit to help the redevelopment of qualified historic buildings. 25% of the credits are reserved for projects containing affordable housing. Another provision of this package extended the Brownfield Tax Credit so that it applies to projects started by August 2005. (The date had been August 2003).

Housing and Smart Growth (2003)

Ensured that the MassHousing agency will have the ability to support the financing of approximately 5,000 units of rental housing that were in the pipeline. Worked with MassHousing and the WRTA to establish the “Take the T Home Mortgage Program” in Central Massachusetts. This program offers mortgage assistance to regular riders of public transit, help to promote “smart growth” principles.