Senator Edwards was first elected to the State Senate in 2022, representing East Boston, Revere, and Winthrop. Previously, she served 4 years on the Boston City Council from 2018-2022. 

After her election to the Senate, she was appointed Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, and has championed several important pieces of legislation that were recently signed into law. These included establishing an Office of Fair Housing and the sealing of eviction records. As co-chair, Senator Edwards was instrumental in ensuring that the Affordable Homes Act included record spending authorizations for public housing and legalized Accessory Dwelling Units in all single-family zoned districts. 

First elected in 2009, Rep. Arciero represents the 2nd Middlesex, which consists of the towns of Chelmsford, Littleton, and Westford. He was appointed House Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing in 2021. Along with co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, he successfully steered the largest housing bond bill in the state’s history through the legislative process. The landmark Affordable Homes Act authorizes a record $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years, and legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units in all single-family zoned districts

CHAPA’s Municipal Engagement Initiative team has been a great partner to AHMA over the last few years. CHAPA’s MEI team works with advocates and municipal officials in target communities to support rezoning efforts like the MBTACA and bring about more abundant and affordable housing. 

AHMA organizers have enjoyed a great partnership with the CHAPA MEI team this year.  CHAPA and AHMA continue to reciprocally share knowledge and skills on a monthly call for organizations providing assistance to MBTA Communities. We’re so grateful to have CHAPA MEI as close partners in this work, and look forward to continuing to work together in future!

Launched in May 2024 by resident advocates – Gino and Pandora Carlucci, Cobi Frongillo, Mark Minnichelli, Maxwell Morrangiello, Ndoumbe Ndoye, Lisa Oxford and Emma Snellings, Building Equitable Neighborhoods (BEN) 4 Franklin’s mission is to advocate for a Franklin with abundant, affordable housing for all, a walkable, economically vibrant downtown and neighborhoods that evolve in a fiscally responsible manner. BEN envisions an inviting, diverse, environmentally sustainable, and fiscally strong Franklin where all can be engaged and find a home.  BEN advocates for smart land use practices and zoning policies in the areas of housing, transportation, economic development, culture, environmental sustainability and fiscal solvency.

Launched in December 2023 by resident advocates- Alex DeSilva, Andrea Goetschius, Beth Hestad, Patrick Ronan and Jay Strother -, Norwood For All has a mission to increase the amount of affordable housing in Norwood and promote a racially and economically diverse community. In less than three months from its first meeting, Norwood For All named themselves, set up a website with an FAQ about the MBTA Communities Law and Norwood and prepared for a town meeting vote in February 2024 on Norwood’s 3A district by surveying all town meeting members and explaining the benefits to Norwood by creating a multifamily district by right in compliance with the law.