Massachusetts Residents Can Still Apply for Home Heating Assistance by April 30th to Help Cover Winter Costs

 

 

  

As the home heating season comes to a close, Massachusetts residents have until April 30 to apply for support from the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). HEAP provides financial support to eligible households to pay a portion of their winter heating bills. Residents can learn more and submit an application at mass.gov/heat.

 

"Many Massachusetts families are still feeling the strain of this winter's heating costs," said Juana Matias, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. "With the April 30 deadline approaching, now is the time to see if you qualify for home heating benefits. HEAP can provide meaningful relief, and we encourage residents to apply now or help spread the word to someone who may need support." 

 

Following a colder-than-average winter that increased heating usage across the state, many households continue to face elevated energy costs, compounded by rising energy prices. Residents may apply through April 30 for assistance to receive assistance for heating expenses during the winter months.

 

HEAP is a free, statewide program that provides grants paid directly to heating providers to help eligible households cover winter heating costs. The assistance does not need to be repaid. The program is available to both renters and homeowners and covers all heating sources, including oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, wood, and coal.

 

Eligibility is based on several factors including household size and income, and households do not need to be on public assistance or have overdue bills to qualify. Residents whose heat is included in their rent may also be eligible. 

 

Residents can apply online or connect with their local HEAP agency at mass.gov/heat. 

Fair Housing listening session schedule

Fair Housing listening session schedule

"If you’ve encountered barriers to fair housing — or you’re working to remove them — we want to learn from you. These sessions help us move from stories to solutions and inform practical recommendations statewide.


North Shore/Merrimack Valley — Thursday, Feb. 12

Register: www.mass.gov/FairHousing"

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUjE9xMEgHi/

More Senior Housing coming with the Franklin Ridge project

"Seniors are the fastest-growing group facing homelessness — and that’s wrong. Westminster Senior Residences is a clear example of what we’re doing about it: partnering with local leaders to plan and build attractive, comfortable and affordable homes for older adults.  

More Senior Housing coming with the Franklin Ridge project

When we help communities move good projects forward, we protect our neighbors and strengthen Massachusetts. "

Listen to Ed Augustus at this recent ribbon cutting on Westminster. Follow link for video reel ->   https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQuAqbOEywZ/

Gene Grella shares correspondence from EOHLC on the LIP Process (Friendly 40b)

Note: The email correspondence has been formatted for publication here. A PDF copy of the email is linked to below.

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Dear Mr. Grella,

My colleague Rieko Hayashi forwarded me your email with questions regarding the LIP process. I've responded to your questions below, in red. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thank you,

--

Caitlin Loftus 

Counsel

Office of the General Counsel

Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300

Boston, MA 02114

(617) 573-1506 

From: Gene Grella <gene.p.grella@gmail.com>

Sent: Friday, October 31, 2025 11:47 AM

To: Samadi, Derya (EOHLC) <Derya.Samadi@mass.gov>; Hayashi, Rieko (EOHLC) <rieko.hayashi@mass.gov>; Loftus, Caitlin (EOHLC) <Caitlin.Loftus@mass.gov>; Jeffrey N Roy <jroy@ravechroy.com>; Jeffrey.Roy@mahouse.gov <Jeffrey.Roy@mahouse.gov>; Jeff Roy <jeffreynroy@gmail.com>

Subject: Questions about LIP Process

Reiko and Derya,

I've copied my State Rep Jeff Roy here in the hope that you will answer my emails as I have not seen any reply to my others.  Also, I have consolidated all my questions to this one email and my questions are hypothetical and have nothing to do with any particular project so your answers just apply to your understanding of the LIP program and the law.

Question 1:  If a developer is already in the ZBA public hearing process of a Friendly 40b filed under the LIP program and the town, who has partnered and written a letter in support for that project, now decided to withdraw its support (through a letter from the CEO aka Town Council), what happens to the project? 

Without the town support, the project would no longer be able to proceed under LIP. However, the developer could apply for a project eligibility letter and then a comprehensive permit on its own through a different program.

Question 2: If the support is withdrawn and the developer has to file on their own to continue with the project:  A) Does the project start over from a timeline perspective? 

If the developer is no longer proceeding under LIP and wanted to pursue a different program, the developer would need a new project eligibility letter and comp permit application. 

B) Can the ZBA invoke Safe Harbor? 

Yes, if a board believes it has satisfied a safe harbor for a new comp permit application, it can assert that claim in accordance with the timing and procedures provided in 760 CMR 56.03(8).

Question 3: I've found the following passages in the LIP section of the Comprehensive Permit guidelines. I give specific pages.

My question is:  If a 40b project has undergone considerable changes, does the CEO need to continue to confirm support and if they do not, what happens to the project? 

Material changes would require an amendment of the project eligibility letter, and EOHLC would not issue an amended PEL without the CEO's concurrence, in accordance with the 40B guidelines, including the provision you cited below. If the CEO withdraws their/the municipal support, then the project would not be able to proceed as a LIP.

Thank you in advance.  See below for specific language from the guidelines.

Pg 72.  (1) A letter of support signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the municipality. DHCD expects local public officials to act in good faith and expects local support for housing proposed under the LIP not to be unreasonably withheld. The purpose of LIP is premised on the fact that a municipality and a developer are working in concert on a project that meets the community’s needs. If a project changes substantially during the course of the permitting process, such that it is no longer consistent with that which was approved by the chief executive officer and DHCD, DHCD reserves the right to request a letter from the chief executive officer stating that the project remains locally supported as a condition of final approval

Pg 79  Amending the Determination of Project Eligibility (1) Material Change - Any material changes in any of the conditions of a Determination of Project Eligibility (e.g., a change in the development team, the number of units, unit mix, size, design, location, extension of the term of the Determination of Project Eligibility, proposed sale of the project, etc.) REQUIRE that the Determination be amended. DHCD shall be notified immediately if either the Developer or the municipality anticipates any material change in the terms of the initial Determination of Project Eligibility. (2) Local Approval - The Developer must secure concurrence of the chief executive officer for the proposed change. DHCD will not issue an amended Determination without such local approval, unless it is unreasonably withheld, and without compliance with these requirements. (3) DHCD Review - DHCD may perform an additional site visit, meet with representatives of the municipality and the Developer, and/or request additional financial information, revised site plans, etc., prior to acting on a requested amendment. (4) Final Approval Withheld - Final approval may be withheld if the Project is not consistent with the Determination of Project Eligibility. 

Sincerely,

Gene Grella

The PDF copy of the email correspondence forwarded to me to share:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17CEYt2Ink3yRqxj5yAJ2reYLq-KMHkBw/view?usp=drive_link

Gene Grella shares correspondence from EOHLC on the LIP Process (Friendly 40b)