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WESTFORD — The following release was shared with WestfordCAT from the office of Rep. James Arciero.
State Representative James Arciero, of Westford, has been named the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing by House Speaker Ronald Mariano, of Quincy, who made his leadership and committee assignments for the 193th legislative session this week.
“I am honored by the trust and confidence that Speaker Mariano has placed in me with this decision,” Chairman 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.”
State Senator Lydia Edwards, of Boston, will serve as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing alongside Representative Arciero.
Representative Meg Kilcoyne, of Clinton, will serve as the House Vice Chair. Representatives serving on the committee include Representatives Mike Connolly, of Cambridge, Shirley Arriaga, of Chicopee, Kip Diggs, of Barnstable, Chris Hendricks, of New Bedford, Rob Consalvo, of Hyde Park, Patrick Kearney, of Scituate, David LeBoeuf, of Worcester, David Muradian, of Grafton, and David DeCoste, of Norwell.
“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. Many committee members have previously served on the committee and their experience and knowledge will be very beneficial as we tackle these important issues,” Chair Arciero said.
“No matter how we look at what’s in front of us, we simply have to produce more housing,” Chair Arciero added. “The people of Massachusetts deserve quality, affordable housing and housing security.”
Representative Arciero will be serving his second term as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, as his leadership role in the Massachusetts House of Representatives has grown during the past 14 years.
During his first term as Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, he navigated a housing crisis spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic and led the largest investment in housing by the Commonwealth in decades, helping streamline over $600 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to address the state’s dire housing needs.
Alongside Senator Edwards, he will continue leading the committee as they address housing issues across the state including increased housing production, reforming zoning requirements, affordability, improved rental assistance and combating homelessness.
Prior to being the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, he previously served as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Export Development.
Additional committees Rep. Arciero has served on includes Ways and Means; Veterans and Federal Affairs; Labor and Workforce Development; Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture; Revenue; and Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure.
