H 1297 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act promoting housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program

This bill strengthens the HomeBASE program in Massachusetts to help families maintain stable housing by allowing them to receive financial assistance without needing to be evicted first. It removes income eligibility limits for enrolled families and permits those facing eviction due to no-fault or excused-fault reasons to apply for help even after court summons is filed. Under the new rules, eligible families can receive up to $30,000 in the first 24 months and up to $15,000 in subsequent 12-month periods, with the option to combine these funds with other specific housing transition resources. The legislation directly affects low-income households with children under 21 or pregnant individuals who need support to prevent eviction or relocate to new housing.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Aug 2024
House Passage
Jul 2024
Senate Passage
Mar 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Aug 8, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Aug 8, 2024
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Jul 15, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Jul 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
Amendment (changing reporting date to Wednesday July 31, 2024) adopted, pending concurrence
upper
Mar 5, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Housing
lower
1 primary · 13 co-sponsors

Sponsors