James Arciero reappointed House chair of Joint Committee on Housing

Published in the Lowell Sun by Cameron Morseberger on February 20, 2023

WESTFORD — State Rep. James Arciero will continue to serve as the House chair of the Joint Committee on Housing.

House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-Quincy, reappointed Arciero to the committee Feb. 16, where he will lead alongside Senate Chair Lydia Edwards, D-Boston, Senate Vice Chair John Keenan, D-Quincy, and House Vice Chair Meg Kilcoyne, D-Clinton.

Arciero, who was first named chair in February 2021, said in a statement he is pleased to be leading the committee for a second term, in the Legislature’s 193rd session.

”I am honored by the trust and confidence that Speaker Mariano has placed in me with this decision,” Arciero said. “Housing, from production to affordability to zoning, is an important issue both in my district and across Massachusetts. I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues to address these important issues during the next two years and find solutions to solve our growing housing needs.”

Prior to his appointment as chair, Arciero had not previously worked on the committee. He previously served as vice chair on both the Joint Committee on Export Development and Joint Committee on Higher Education.

On the housing committee, Arciero and other members take on Chapter 40B housing, condominium laws, subdivision control and general housing matters, according to the state’s website. One bill currently in committee is a proposal to amend the state’s Constitution to provide that “Each, and every inhabitant of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has a Right to Housing.” The bill also states that the commonwealth should “provide sufficient, and comprehensive planning, for affordable, well-constructed, and reasonably varied housing for all residents.”

In his first two years on the joint committee, in the midst of the pandemic, Arciero advocated for more than $600 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to tackle the housing crisis, “the largest investment in housing by the Commonwealth in decades,” according to the press release.

As Arciero looks to this next term as House chair, his priorities will include reforming zoning requirements, improving affordability and rental assistance, growing the state’s housing production and addressing homelessness.

“No matter how we look at what’s in front of us, we simply have to produce more housing,” Arciero stated. “The people of Massachusetts deserve quality, affordable housing and housing security.”

Other legislators working on the committee include Reps. Shirley Arriaga, D-Chicopee, Mike Connolly, D-Cambridge, Rob Consalvo, D-Hyde Park, David DeCoste, R-Norwell, Kip Diggs, D-Barnstable, Christopher Hendricks, D-New Bedford, Patrick Kearney, D-Scituate, David LeBoeuf, D-Worcester and David Muradian, Jr., R-Grafton.

Arciero said he will collaborate with Senate leaders on the committee to create solutions to the housing dilemmas facing Massachusetts.

“I look forward to working with Senator Edwards and the rest of our diverse housing committee to address production, affordability, rental assistance and combatting homelessness,” he stated. “Many committee members have previously served on the committee and their experience and knowledge will be very beneficial as we tackle these important issues.”

Arciero has also been involved with the Legislature’s Labor and Workforce Development, Revenue, Veterans and Federal Affairs, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Ways and Means, and Environment committees.