Housing (Affordable Housing)

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 18, 2026

H 4186: An Act relative to Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the town of Edgartown

By Representative Moakley of Falmouth and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4186) of Thomas W. Moakley (by vote of the town) relative to the affordable housing trust fund of the town of Edgartown. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Edgartown's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, directly funding housing programs per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 15, 2025

H 4762: An Act establishing a commission to study housing affordability and density reform

H 4762 establishes a commission to study housing affordability and zoning reforms in Massachusetts. The commission will analyze current zoning rules (like minimum lot sizes and restrictions on multi-family housing), examine exclusionary practices affecting low- and moderate-income residents, and study successful approaches from other states. It will use data modeling and expert input to evaluate how zoning changes could increase housing supply and reduce costs, with recommendations due by December 2026. The bill does not enact new laws but aims to inform future policy decisions by the legislature. This study directly affects Massachusetts housing policy development and could influence future zoning regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to study zoning reforms that could increase housing supply and reduce costs, directly advancing affordability goals through data-driven analysis of exclusionary practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 293: An Act providing relief of 40B regulations for municipalities sheltering individuals on behalf of DHCD

This bill exempts municipalities ordered by the state housing agency (DHCD) or federal authorities to provide emergency shelters for more than 10 homeless individuals from Chapter 40B housing regulations for at least five years. It specifically relieves them from meeting the requirement to provide affordable housing units (currently 10% of new projects). The exemption applies only when shelters are established under government order for emergency homeless populations. This directly affects towns and cities mandated to house larger groups of homeless residents during crises.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExempts municipalities from 10% affordable housing requirement under 40B for emergency shelters, weakening mandatory affordable housing development for specific cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 409: An Act establishing a building permit fee surcharge for affordable housing in the town of Concord

HD 409 allows the Town of Concord to impose a surcharge on building permits for construction projects exceeding a value set by the Select Board. The funds collected must be deposited into Concord's Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing initiatives. This surcharge applies only to projects qualifying as "affordable housing," defined as units rented or sold to households earning no more than 150% of the area median income, with long-term affordability restrictions. The town must approve the surcharge via a Town Meeting vote before implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a targeted surcharge on building permits to fund affordable housing initiatives via a dedicated trust fund, directly advancing fiscal support for housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates permit surcharge funds for affordable housing trust, directly funding initiatives targeting low-income housing (≤150% AMI) with affordability restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Building Codes Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 199: An Act streamlining housing permitting

This bill creates "Housing Priority Zones" to accelerate housing development. Properties in these zones must allow 50% more units than standard zoning (with lots ≤½ acre), include 40% affordable housing (per Chapter 40R), and use flexible zoning like cluster development. Developers earn 1.75 permit credits per unit in these zones, and affordable housing residents must verify income every three years to maintain eligibility. Additionally, property taxes for these zones are prorated based on when a permit is issued, reducing costs for new construction.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 40% affordable housing in designated zones and accelerates development via permit credits, directly advancing affordable housing supply and development goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 484: An Act improving municipal access to general existing housing data

This bill requires the state executive office to create a centralized, machine-readable database containing standardized data about subsidized housing developments across Massachusetts. It mandates reporting of specific details for both new and existing subsidized housing, including the number of income-restricted units (broken down by income levels: 80%, 50%, and 30% of area median income), unit features, location addresses, and the duration of income restrictions. Municipalities, state agencies, and regional public entities will gain direct access to this data for planning and oversight. The database must be updated annually to ensure current information is available, without altering existing housing policies or funding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates centralized database for subsidized housing data, enabling better management of affordable housing programs through standardized reporting of income-restricted units.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 524: An Act allowing for a tax credit for rent paid on the personal residence of the taxpayer

This bill creates a state tax credit for Massachusetts renters whose rent exceeds 30% of their gross income. It provides a credit equal to a percentage of the excess rent, based on income: 100% for under $25,000, 75% for $25k-$50k, 50% for $50k-$75k, 25% for $75k-$100k, and a $3,000 maximum for higher earners. The credit applies only to rent paid for a primary residence in Massachusetts, including utilities (capped at HUD's fair market rent plus 25%). The credit takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates targeted tax credit for renters with rent exceeding 30% of income, providing relief to low/moderate earners (100% credit for under $25k) aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit for renters exceeding 30% income threshold, directly increasing affordability for low/middle-income tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 811: An Act promoting fair and affordable housing

SD 811 amends Massachusetts law to prohibit discriminatory land use practices that limit affordable housing access. It directly affects local and state government bodies (like zoning boards and housing authorities) by banning policies or decisions that exclude housing for families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income, families needing more bedrooms, or people based on protected characteristics like race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The law allows individuals or the Attorney General to sue for violations, seeking court orders, damages (including punitive damages for intentional discrimination), and recovery of legal fees. It includes limited exceptions where governments prove their actions were necessary for a substantial, legitimate purpose and no less discriminatory alternative existed.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly prohibits discriminatory land use practices limiting affordable housing access for low-income families, large families, and protected groups, directly promoting fair housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1532: An Act authorizing a local affordable housing surcharge

HD 1532 authorizes cities and towns to impose a local surcharge of up to 2% on real estate taxes to fund affordable housing, but only after approval by a two-thirds vote of the local government and voter acceptance via ballot question. The surcharge applies to property taxes (not included in total tax calculations for certain limits) and funds must be deposited into an affordable housing trust. Exemptions include low-income housing, senior housing, commercial properties, and $100,000 per residential parcel. Cities may adjust the rate annually but cannot change it more than once per year, and funds remain dedicated to housing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a local tax surcharge (up to 2%) on real estate to fund affordable housing, directly advancing public service funding through taxation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes 2% real estate surcharge to fund affordable housing via local trust, with exemptions for low-income housing. Directly funds housing programs per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Property Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1646: An Act to improve the accuracy of the counting of existing affordable housing stock

This bill amends Massachusetts' Chapter 40B law to clarify how affordable housing is counted. It redefines "low or moderate income housing" to explicitly include federally or state-subsidized housing built or operated by public agencies, nonprofits, or limited-dividend groups. Crucially, it adds that 50% of homes in manufactured housing communities (as defined in Chapter 140) must be counted toward a city or town's affordable housing threshold, using documentation from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities' inventory. This change directly affects cities and towns required to meet affordable housing thresholds under Chapter 40B by expanding the types of housing that count toward that requirement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies counting of subsidized housing to include more affordable units, advancing 40B compliance by expanding recognized housing stock.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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