EOHLC2026-63 hdip 2026 nofa

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) is soliciting proposals for the 2026 Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), a funding opportunity designed to stimulate market-rate and mixed-income rental and homeownership housing production in Massachusetts Gateway Cities. This is a competitive grant program with two application periods in 2026: the first from June 25 through July 24, 2026, and the second from November 23 through December 23, 2026, both with 5:00 PM submission deadlines. Eligible developers must first submit a pre-application during the three-week period preceding or at the start of each full application period, accompanied by a non-refundable $1,500 fee, and must provide evidence of approved Housing Development zones, substantial progress on Tax Increment Exemption agreements, municipal support letters, architect statements on green design, Minority/Women Business Enterprise commitment documentation, and proof of good standing with HLC. Only sponsors with approved pre-applications may proceed to submit full applications during the designated competition windows, which require complete submissions and an additional $1,500 non-refundable fee. The program prioritizes projects incorporating affordable units, family-sized units with two or more bedrooms, and green and climate-resilient features including electric heating and cooling, Passive House standards, and solar readiness. HLC will announce awards 8 to 12 weeks after application submission, with questions for the first competition due July 31, 2026 (answers provided August 7, 2026), and questions for the second competition due January 7, 2027 (answers provided January 14, 2027).

The program includes Minority/Women Business Enterprise participation requirements as part of the application evaluation criteria. HLC reserves the right to limit awards to specific Gateway Cities and restrict awards to no more than two per single developer, thereby controlling market concentration and ensuring broad geographic distribution of resources. The anticipated award range is between $2 million to $2.5 million per approved HDIP application, with consideration for up to $4 million for larger-scale projects. Funding sources for the 2026 competition include the state's increased annual HDIP authority of $30 million (up from the previous $10 million) and a one-time $57 million expansion allocation approved through the October 2023 tax relief bill, providing substantial capital for multiple awards across both competition periods. To date, 110 HDIP projects have created over 6,531 residential units across Massachusetts Gateway Cities, demonstrating the program's track record of successful housing development. Developers must coordinate with HLC's Livable Communities office regarding Housing Development zone and Tax Increment Exemption approvals and with the Housing Development office on credit applications.