Housing (Tenant Rights)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2053: An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults

HD 2053 creates a program to prevent homelessness before it occurs by providing financial assistance to low-income households at risk of eviction, foreclosure, utility shut-off, or loss of housing subsidy. It directly helps families, youth, elders, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth with incomes at or below 50% of the area median income (with at least half the funds targeting those at or below 30% AMI). The program covers up to 12 months of past-due rent, future rent, utilities, and broker fees, with direct payments to tenants if landlords refuse to cooperate. An annual report must track applicants, approvals, demographics, and housing outcomes at 6, 12, and 24 months to ensure transparency and program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents homelessness via financial aid for rent/utilities, targeting low-income households at risk of eviction/foreclosure, directly advancing housing stability and tenant protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2987: An Act to secure housing for returning citizens

HD 2987 creates a state program to help formerly incarcerated people secure housing. The Department of Housing will coordinate a "reentry and formerly incarcerated persons program" requiring agencies to provide housing assistance before and after release, including financial support like housing vouchers. The bill mandates annual reviews of housing programs to track who benefits (using demographic data) and improve services based on feedback from formerly incarcerated people. It also adds priority preferences for this group in multiple state-funded housing initiatives, including affordable housing projects and public housing developments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for housing assistance (vouchers) and program coordination, directly increasing public service funding for a new state program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates housing program for formerly incarcerated people to reduce recidivism, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation services and reentry support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates housing vouchers and program for formerly incarcerated people, directly advancing housing access for vulnerable group through state-funded assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3032: An Act to promote access to housing and improve educational outcomes

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to address student homelessness in Massachusetts, targeting five communities (prioritizing Gateway Cities) to achieve "functional zero" homelessness within five years. It provides participating communities with housing vouchers covering 10% of homeless students' housing needs, $500,000 annually for program infrastructure, and resources tied to annual progress goals. Communities must coordinate housing, school, and local agency efforts, share data, and commit to annual housing targets for homeless students and families. A dedicated $500,000 annual fund supports the initiative, with implementation through community-based organizations and shared best practices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $500,000 annually for program infrastructure, directly funding a public service initiative targeting homelessness through state budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses student homelessness through housing vouchers and funding to improve school attendance and outcomes, directly expanding educational access for vulnerable students.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides housing vouchers for homeless students and funds to achieve 'functional zero' homelessness, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3386: An Act relative to residential assistance for families in transition (RAFT)

This bill creates the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program to prevent homelessness for low-income households at risk of eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-off. It directly affects families with children under 21, elders, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth earning at or below area median income, with 50% of funds reserved for households earning 30% or less of the area median income. The program provides cash benefits covering past-due rent/mortgage (arrearages) or future housing costs (up to 12 months’ rent), and requires coordination with housing agencies to streamline applications. An annual report must track referrals, applications, demographics, and housing outcomes for legislative review.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates RAFT program providing cash benefits for rent/mortgage to prevent homelessness among low-income households, directly funding housing assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Mortgages Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3179: An Act to plan, preserve, and protect

This bill creates a 5-year pilot program allowing cities and towns to apply for participation in a "tenant opportunity to purchase" initiative. It directly affects municipalities meeting specific criteria: those with at least 70% rental units, high eviction rates or Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFIT) applications, and high poverty rates. Eligible cities must apply through the Executive Office of Housing by June 2026, with up to 15 zip codes selected to test new regulations developed by the office by December 2025. The program requires annual reporting and will conclude with a final report evaluating its effectiveness for future expansion or termination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tenant opportunity to purchase program in high-rent/eviction areas, directly protecting tenants and advancing affordable housing access through municipal pilot initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4092: An Act relative to improve access to rental assistance programs

HD 4092 requires Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing to create regulations by January 1, 2024, allowing landlords to apply for rental assistance programs on behalf of their tenants. This directly affects tenants eligible for programs like the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, Alternative Housing Voucher Program, and Rental Assistance for Families in Transition. The key provision mandates that housing authorities and contracted agencies accept these landlord-submitted applications for rental assistance. The bill aims to simplify access to housing support by removing a barrier that previously required tenants to apply directly.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates regulations allowing landlords to apply for tenant rental assistance, expanding access to existing programs like Rental Voucher Program, directly advancing tenant affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4205: An Act facilitating housing for all

This bill creates the "Housing First and Housing for All Fund" using revenues from a new gross receipts tax on businesses. The fund will directly support unhoused individuals, low-income households, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities by funding rental subsidies, emergency housing, permanent housing programs, and services like mental health care and legal aid for eviction cases. Key provisions include requiring annual reports on fund usage and mandating audits to ensure money is spent on housing prevention and support, not other state expenses. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to expand affordable housing access through dedicated funding, rather than speculative outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new business tax to fund housing programs, directly allocating tax revenue to support low-income housing and services, meeting 'funds essential programs' indicator.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds mental health care services as part of housing support, directly advancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations through the Housing First Fund.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates dedicated fund using business tax revenue to provide rental subsidies, emergency housing, and services for unhoused/low-income groups, directly advancing affordable housing access and tenant protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly lists veterans as a beneficiary group for housing subsidies and related services, directly funding veteran housing needs through the Housing First Fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3937: An Act relative to local preference in affordable housing

This bill allows Massachusetts cities with 65,000-150,000 residents to prioritize up to 70% of local residents (those currently living within the city limits) for affordable housing units. It applies to all privately assisted housing and housing subject to inclusionary zoning requirements listed on a municipality's housing inventory. The preference must last for at least 30 years from when a tenant moves in, and the regulations creating this rule must take effect within 60 days of the bill's passage. The policy directly affects these mid-sized cities and their affordable housing residents, aiming to increase local access to housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrioritizes local residents for affordable housing units, increasing access for current residents and strengthening local housing availability under inclusionary zoning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 362: An Act to plan, preserve, and protect

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program allowing cities or towns to apply for participation in a "Tenant’s Opportunity to Purchase" initiative targeting high-need zip codes. It directly affects municipalities meeting three criteria: at least 70% rental units, documented displacement (via evictions/RAPT applications), and high poverty rates. Eligible areas would be selected from up to 15 zip codes, with regulations finalized by December 2025 and applications accepted by June 2026. The program requires a final report detailing recommendations for expansion, continuation, or termination after the pilot ends.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Tenant Opportunity to Purchase program in high-displacement zip codes, directly protecting tenants and preserving affordable housing through municipal pilot initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4306: An Act to reform, dissolve and recreate the housing authorities and end housing choice and benefit racial discrimination

HD 4306 proposes to reform Massachusetts housing authorities by dissolving current agencies and creating new ones to end racial discrimination in housing choices and benefits. The bill requires housing authorities to prioritize and expedite housing for displaced families, the elderly, and people with disabilities - groups currently left homeless due to mismanagement of state and federal rehousing funds. It mandates that housing authorities stop using allocated funds for excessive staff salaries and instead use these resources immediately to rehouse vulnerable residents. The bill aims to ensure taxpayer funds are directed toward ending homelessness, rather than perpetuating systemic neglect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnds racial discrimination in housing, prioritizes vulnerable groups (homeless, elderly, disabled), and redirects funds from excessive salaries to housing programs, directly advancing affordable housing and tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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