Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5408: REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of ADAM GOMEZ AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT TO PROTECT TENANTS BY LIMITING RENT INCREASES (see House, No. 5008).

This document is a report from a Massachusetts legislative committee recommending that the General Court take no action on a citizen-initiated bill to limit rent increases. The proposed measure would cap annual rent hikes at the lower of 5% or the Consumer Price Index, applying statewide to most residential units while excluding small owner-occupied buildings, new constructions, and certain non-profit or transient rentals. Although the committee heard testimony from experts and advocates on both sides, the majority concluded that the bill should not be approved as written. Consequently, the bill will not become law unless it is introduced and passed through the standard legislative process by future lawmakers.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingThe committee recommends rejecting a bill that would cap rent increases, which limits tenant protections and restricts landlord rights regarding housing costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Massachusetts · House Sep 5, 2025

H 4139: An Act authorizing the town of Wellesley to dissolve its Housing Development Corporation

By Representative Peisch of Wellesley and Senator Creem, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4139) of Alice Hanlon Peisch (by vote of the town) that the town of Wellesley be authorized to dissolve the housing development corporation of said town. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingDissolving Wellesley's Housing Development Corporation would terminate a dedicated housing development entity, directly limiting housing development efforts in the town.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2291: An Act allowing municipalities to appeal zoning provisions under the MBTA Communities Act

This bill (HD 3730) creates a new appeal process for municipalities facing challenges when implementing housing development rules under the MBTA Communities Act. It requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to establish regulations allowing towns to seek relief if they cannot meet specific infrastructure or environmental requirements, such as water supply, wastewater treatment, transportation capacity, environmental impacts, or historical property protection. The appeal would apply to zoning provisions mandating housing development near transit hubs. This directly affects municipalities seeking to build housing in MBTA communities while addressing practical local constraints.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows municipalities to appeal zoning provisions under MBTA Communities Act, potentially weakening housing development mandates by enabling resistance to required zoning changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2344: An Act requiring Safe Harbor exceptions to the MBTA Communities Act

This bill amends Massachusetts law to exempt certain communities from specific requirements of the MBTA Communities Act. Communities that already qualify for "safe harbor" status under the state's affordable housing law (M.G.L. c. 40B) will no longer need to meet additional housing requirements under M.G.L. c. 40A, Section 3A. The key change is a direct exemption for these communities from Section 3A’s housing development mandates, streamlining compliance for municipalities already meeting 40B standards. This affects local governments in Massachusetts that have met the safe harbor criteria under the 40B housing law.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill requires safe harbor exceptions to multi-family zoning as-of-right, allowing municipalities to opt out of housing development requirements, limiting housing options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2025

HD 2336: A communication from the Her Excellency the Governor relative to recommendations for additional changes to the Emergency Assistance Shelter System to be included in a supplemental budget pending with the Legislature.

This is not a legislative bill but a gubernatorial communication proposing changes to the Emergency Assistance Shelter System. The Governor recommends modifying eligibility rules to ensure shelter benefits primarily serve Massachusetts residents, including requiring evictions to occur in Massachusetts, verifying residency through documentation (not self-attestation), and limiting "not meant for human habitation" housing eligibility to situations within the state. These changes aim to align the system with its original intent, address operational burdens, and improve fiscal sustainability for Fiscal Year 2026. The proposal would directly affect homeless families seeking shelter by tightening eligibility criteria.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts eligibility for shelter benefits by requiring MA residency verification and limiting housing types, directly limiting access to housing assistance.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill requires documentation for shelter residency verification, limiting access to non-residents and restricting immigrant services through eligibility rules.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate May 1, 2025

SD 2861: Executive Office for Administration and Finance Hotel Closure Plan

Report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its plan to phase out the use of hotels and motels for emergency housing assistance not later than December 31, 2025

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingPhases out hotels/motels for emergency housing by 2025, reducing current emergency housing assistance program.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2290: An Act providing for municipal flexibility in state housing mandates

HD 3650 allows Massachusetts municipalities to request exemptions from state housing mandates, such as those in Chapter 40A. A town or city can petition the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities if compliance would cause an undue financial burden, exceed local capacity for housing or infrastructure, or conflict with existing zoning. The bill requires petitioners to provide evidence supporting one of these three specific grounds. The Department of Housing and Community Development must create rules for reviewing these exemption requests, including timelines and approval criteria.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows municipalities to petition for exemption from state housing mandates, potentially reducing enforcement of housing development requirements.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2340: An Act repealing section 3A relative to MBTA communities

This bill repeals Section 3A of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, which pertains to MBTA communities. The bill text does not specify what Section 3A previously required or affected, so the direct impact on communities or other entities cannot be determined from the provided text. As a procedural repeal with no additional context about the repealed section's content, this summary is limited to the stated action. No key mechanisms or policy changes beyond the repeal itself are described in the available text.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill repeals provisions of Housing Choice Initiative, directly weakening housing policy framework without supporting language.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1017: An Act to reform the emergency assistance shelter program

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1017) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to reform the emergency assistance shelter program by limiting the scope to residents of the Commonwealth. Housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill explicitly limits emergency shelter program scope to Commonwealth residents, restricting access to housing assistance as per 'limit' indicator in OPPOSE definition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 1512: An Act to exempt local housing authorities from the penalties of the MBTA Communities Law

This bill exempts local housing authorities from penalties under the MBTA Communities Law. Specifically, it amends state law to exclude housing authorities defined in Chapter 121B from the penalties for not meeting housing development requirements near transit hubs. The change adds a clear exception to Section 3A of Chapter 40A, ensuring these authorities are not penalized for failing to meet the law's housing goals. This directly affects municipal housing authorities that manage public housing under Chapter 121B.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExempting housing authorities from MBTA penalties weakens enforcement of housing development requirements under the law.85% confidence

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