S 896 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to increase access to affordable housing

This bill modifies how Massachusetts calculates income limits for affordable housing programs by allowing applicants to deduct certain expenses before determining eligibility. Specifically, it permits a $10,000 annual deduction for combined student loan payments and licensed child care costs, along with allowances for dependents and medical expenses. These changes directly affect individuals and families applying for housing assistance in the state, including those living in Nantucket and Dukes counties, which have unique income thresholds. By reducing the income counted against applicants, the legislation aims to expand the pool of people who qualify as low or moderate income for subsidized housing.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Mar 2024
House Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Mar 18, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 18, 2024
Upper · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Housing
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Susan Moran
Susan Moran
DDemocratic
MA
Plymouth and Barnstable