JALSA Submits Testimony in Support of Affordable Housing and Environmental Adaptation Legislation

July 15, 2025

Dear Chairs Eldridge and Madaro:

The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) is a membership-based non-profit organization based in Boston, with thousands of members and supporters statewide. Guided by Jewish teachings and values, we are devoted to the defense of civil rights, the preservation of constitutional liberties, and the passionate pursuit of social, economic, racial, and environmental justice for all people.

JALSA offers its testimony in strong support of S.1973 / H.3194, An Act Relative to Affordable Housing and Environmental Adaptation Dollars, also known as The AHEAD Act. JALSA is proud to be a member of the Affordable Housing and Environmental Adaptation Dollars (AHEAD) Coalition in support of this vitally necessary legislation.

The AHEAD Act would responsibly raise more than $300 million in new revenue each year to support affordable housing and to fight climate change. It will do so by bringing our deeds excise fee – currently the lowest in the region by far – into alignment with neighboring states, while providing off-setting tax credits to low-income home sellers and those who sell to first-time homebuyers. This revenue could support thousands of new housing vouchers, help construct or preserve tens of thousands of new housing units, and provide flexibility to cover emergency shelter needs. This revenue could also support large scale climate mitigation & adaptation projects, such as decarbonization of low- and moderate- income housing, protection of low- income and coastal communities, and expansion of clean energy infrastructure.

Our faith-based values have impressed upon us the importance of housing as a human right. On Yom Kippur, our most sacred holiday, we read in Isaiah, “take the poor into your homes.” Deuteronomy 15:8 also commands that a poor person be granted “sufficient for what lacks, according to what is lacking to him” – which, indeed, includes a home. We must take every step that we can to make housing accessible and affordable for all. Upholding human dignity, the fundamental Jewish value of Kavod HaBriyot, demands that we ensure housing for all.

Further, our faith-based values have also impressed upon us the urgency of responsible environmental stewardship. Rooted in Deuteronomy 20, we adhere to the ethical principle of bal tashchit (“do not destroy”), the prohibition of wasteful destruction. Psalm 24 (“The Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.”) reminds us of the eternal nature of our environment and the responsibility to perpetuate it in a healthy manner. And, of course, the value of Tikkun Olam instructs us to “repair the world,” meaning that we all must leave our planet in better shape than we found it. These fundamental values express why the AHEAD Act is of vital importance.

JALSA strongly urges the members of the Joint Committee on Revenue to report S.1973 / H.3194, An Act Relative to Affordable Housing and Environmental Adaptation Dollars, favorably out of committee as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Cindy Rowe
President & CEO
Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action