Technical Assistance

One of the main goals for the Coalition is to provide technical assistance in order to help communities understand the Community Preservation Act and learn more about best practices for implementing it. Below you will find our technical assistance database, with articles ranging across all topics of CPA implementation, organized by category. If you're looking for resources focused on adopting CPA in your community, visit our CPA Adoption page.

Technical Assistance Directory

Frequently Referenced Articles

Is Our Project Allowable?

CPA Project Reference Guide

CPA Restrictions Overview

Community Preservation Plans and Applications

CPA Training Webinars

CPA Income Limits

Secretary of Interior Standards and CPA

Department of Revenue Information

General and Administrative Issues

State Laws and CPA: Where to Look and Who to Call for Guidance

Community Preservation Committees: Composition and Duties

CPC Recommendations - One Simple Thing That Will Greatly Improve Your CPA Program

How to Draft a CPA Land Purchase Warrant Article

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest on Your CPC

What Constitutes a Majority on CPC Votes?

Community Outreach & Public Hearings: Creative Ways to Spread the Word on CPA

Educating Your Community on CPA Exemptions

Promoting CPA on Signs at Local Project Sites

Building a Better CPA Application Process

Using CPA Funds to Hire Administrative Staff

Project Eligibility 

Can CPA Fund Private Projects?

The Role of Grant Agreements in Funding Private Projects

Do the State’s Procurement Laws Apply to CPA Projects?

Financial Issues

CPA Finances Demystified: Breaking Down the CPA Budget Process

Understanding the Formula for Distributions from the Statewide CPA Trust Fund

How to Increase Funding for Your CPA Program: Raising Your CPA Surcharge is an Option

Bonding CPA Projects

Appropriating CPA Funds to Housing Trusts and Conservation Funds

CPA Accounts Earn Interest - Just Remember to Check Your CP-2 Form!

Can CPA Funds Be Paid in Advance for CPA Projects?

Understanding the Procedure for Returning Unspent CPA Project Funds

Historic Preservation

Which Historic Projects Qualify for CPA Funding?

Free Assistance for CPA Historic Projects (Preservation Massachusetts Circuit Rider Program)

CPA Grants for Privately-Owned Historic Buildings: Unique Programs in Springfield & Cambridge

Preserving Historic Burying Grounds Without Breaking the Bank

Preserving Barns and Rural Landscapes

Preserving Historic Windows

Documents are Historic Resources, Too

Religious Buildings of Historic Significance:

Placing Preservation Restrictions on Historic Resources

Bringing Historic Artifacts Back to Life with CPA

Restoring Historic Murals and Public Art

Housing

When CPA Funds a Housing Trust, A Grant Agreement is a Must!

Has Your Housing Trust Spent CPA Funds? Make Sure They Report Back to the CPC!

Can CPA Be Used for Emergency Rental Assistance Programs? The Answer is Yes!

How to Run CPA Rental Assistance Programs: Lessons from the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority and the Eastham Affordable Housing Trust

Can CPA Fund Work on Existing Affordable Housing?

Housing Coordinators: Making Waves Across the Commonwealth

The Most Important Rule for CPA Housing Projects: Income limits apply to all CPA housing expenditures

Free Assistance for CPA Housing Projects (CPA Affordable Housing Circuit Rider Program)

Need Help with Housing? (CPA Affordable Housing Guidebook)

Adaptive Reuse: Using CPA Funds to Convert Vacant Buildings to Housing

Housing Buy-Down Programs: Creating Affordable Housing Without New Construction

Open Space

Protecting Farmland with the Community Preservation Act: There's a State Program that Can Pay Much of the Cost!

How to Draft a CPA Land Purchase Warrant Article

Conservation Restrictions 101: The Rules on Conservation Restrictions on CPA Acquired Land

Recreation

CPA Recreation Projects: Why Can't CPA Funds be Spent on Stadiums and Structures?

CPA Recreation Projects: Why Can't CPA Funds be Spent on Sidewalks?

Can CPA Funds be Used for Dog Parks?