Gov. announces Move-In Mass initiative to expand affordable homeownership opportunities

At an event in Sturbridge today, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced the launch of Move-In Mass, an initiative to expand homeownership by supporting innovative, cost-effective approaches to building starter homes.

The program is expected to support at least 20 homes in its first round, with financing designed to be repaid and reinvested in future housing developments.

Move-In Mass will encourage the use of manufactured, modular and other innovative construction methods that can reduce development costs, shorten construction timelines and make homes more affordable for first-time homebuyers. The initiative aims to build quality homes at lower costs while reducing reliance on state subsidies, allowing public investments to support additional housing opportunities over time.

“Buying your first home should be an exciting milestone, but for too many people in Massachusetts, it feels out of reach,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a prepared statement. “We want more people to have the opportunity to put down roots, build equity and raise their families right here in Massachusetts.”

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said Move-In Mass “gives us another tool to work with communities and developers to build quality homes at lower costs and help more families achieve the dream of homeownership.”

Through Move-In Mass, MassHousing is making $10 million in financing available to developers interested in using manufactured, modular or other cost-effective construction methods to build starter homes. The program will accept proposals from across Massachusetts for detached single-family homes, townhouses and duplexes.

MassHousing will work with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to award financing to qualified developers with projects ready to move forward. The program is designed to recover much of its initial investment through home sales, allowing MassHousing to reinvest that funding in additional housing developments.

Proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to lower construction costs, reduce the need for subsidies, shorten development timelines, and return financing to support future projects.

At least 20% of the homes in each project must be affordable to qualifying first-time homebuyers earning no more than 80% of the area median income, with affordability restrictions maintained for 15 years. Eligible affordable homes may receive subsidies of up to $150,000 per unit when necessary to close the gap between development costs and appraised values or meet affordability requirements.

The administration said the initiative will place particular emphasis on manufactured and modular homes built on permanent foundations, including CrossMod homes, which combine the cost efficiencies of manufactured housing with features of traditional single-family homes. These construction methods have the potential to reduce costs while delivering quality homes that meet applicable building requirements and mortgage financing standards.

The program announcement was held at Blueberry Hill Estates in Sturbridge, a manufactured housing community where Driscoll and administration officials toured homes that demonstrate the innovative construction methods Move-In Mass aims to encourage.

RFP period opens
MassHousing and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities will work with developers, manufacturers and municipalities to identify participation and identify opportunities for projects across the state.

The request for proposals opens today, with responses due by Feb. 25, 2027. Awards are expected to be announced in April 2027.

Questions can be directed to [email protected].