Community Preservation Act on October 20, 2026

The Boston City Council Committee on the Community Preservation Act held a hearing on October 20, 2026, on Docket 1601, exploring whether to increase the share of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding allocated to affordable housing. Director Aden Brown reported that CPA has awarded more than $259 million to 438 projects since 2018; overall, affordable housing has received 52% of funding, with historic preservation and open space/recreation each receiving about 24%. The committee generally allocates 50% to housing and 20% to each of the other categories, while using a flexible 10% based on annual needs. CPA funding is limited to eligible capital improvements, not routine maintenance or operations. No vote or contract award was made.

Councilors discussed rising construction and borrowing costs, the end of ARPA and other funding sources, delayed or withdrawn projects, and whether additional CPA funding could support affordable and homeownership housing. Public testimony reflected competing concerns: housing advocates urged increasing housing’s share, while preservation and parks advocates cautioned against reducing funding for those areas; several speakers supported seeking new revenue rather than shifting existing allocations. Requested follow-up information included a prior analysis of bonding CPA revenues, historical allocation data, and past awards to the acquisition program. The discussion may inform future annual allocation decisions, but no change to the funding formula was adopted at the hearing.