Housing (Affordable Housing)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3372: An Act establishing a commission to study reforms to the low-income housing tax credit program

HD 3372 creates a commission to study reforms for the state's low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program. The commission, including housing officials, legislators, and housing experts, will examine how LIHTC funds are administered, explore ways to streamline projects and preserve existing affordable housing, and recommend improvements to increase transparency and impact. It must hold public hearings and submit a report with findings and recommendations to state lawmakers within 12 months. This bill does not change the LIHTC program itself but sets up a process to evaluate potential reforms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to study LIHTC program reforms, aiming to preserve affordable housing, streamline projects, and increase program impact, directly advancing affordable housing efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1947: An Act relative to funding affordable housing and incentivizing zoning reform

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1434) of Julian Cyr for legislation to fund affordable housing and incentivize zoning reform by imposing a fee upon the transfer of real property interest in any real property situated within the city or town. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes property transfer fee to fund affordable housing, directly increasing government spending on essential housing programs.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds affordable housing via property transfer fees and incentivizes zoning reform to increase housing development, directly advancing housing accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3756: An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard

HD 3756 (Section 3AA) allows religious organizations (including IRS 501(c)(3) groups or state-recognized religious entities) to build multifamily housing on land they've owned for at least three years without needing special zoning permits or facing unreasonable restrictions. The bill sets density rules: up to 50 units per acre if 20-25% of units are affordable to low/middle-income households (at 60-80% of area median income), with height limits matching existing structures or local zoning. It also exempts qualifying projects from off-street parking requirements if near transit, mandates 15-foot setbacks, and requires compliance with environmental regulations. The law directly affects religious landowners seeking to develop housing, aiming to increase affordable housing options on religious property while maintaining local zoning standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20-25% affordable units (60-80% AMI) for religious org housing development, removes zoning barriers to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4035: An Act advancing the Massachusetts social housing program

By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1478) of Mike Connolly relative to the development of mixed income social housing to be administered by the Massachusetts Housing Finance Authority. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly advances mixed-income social housing development via MHFA, aligning with affordable housing funding and program strengthening indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4444: An Act further defining the purposes of the affordable housing trust in the city of Somerville

This bill expands the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust's funding purposes to include two specific areas: (1) housing-related social services like tenant mediation, legal aid, homelessness prevention, and housing counseling, and (2) startup costs for new affordable housing projects. It directly affects Somerville residents, particularly low-income households and vulnerable populations needing housing support services. Crucially, the trust can now fund these services without requiring them to be tied to physical housing units or to increase the city's affordable housing stock. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, clarifying the trust's expanded role in supporting housing stability and access.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands affordable housing trust funding for tenant services, homelessness prevention, and new affordable housing projects, directly advancing low-income housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2734: An Act to protect residents experiencing significant elevations in rent for viable and effective affordable housing

HD 2734 is a draft bill titled "An Act to protect residents experiencing significant elevations in rent for viable and effective affordable housing." As a work-in-progress document prepared by House Counsel, it has not yet been finalized or introduced for public review. The bill's title indicates it aims to address rapid rent increases in affordable housing, but specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected groups are not detailed in the available draft text. Without access to the completed bill language, a substantive summary of its policy changes cannot be provided.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title explicitly aims to protect tenants from rent hikes in affordable housing, aligning with tenant protection and affordable housing support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1985: An Act relative to the development of single family and multi-family housing for veterans

This bill amends zoning laws to prevent local governments from blocking or unreasonably restricting housing developments that specifically serve veterans. It requires that any single or multi-family housing project with a veteran preference (as defined in state law) and an affordable housing deed restriction must not face zoning barriers like special permits or unreasonable restrictions. The law directly affects housing developers and local zoning boards by limiting their ability to deny such projects through discretionary approval processes. This creates a clearer path for building veteran-focused housing that remains affordable long-term, without altering existing housing requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for veteran-focused affordable housing projects, enabling development that meets affordability requirements95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves zoning barriers for veteran-specific housing, enabling access to housing services and supporting veterans' housing needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2511: An Act relative to accessory dwelling units inclusion in the subsidized housing inventory

This bill draft (HD 2511) aims to include accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like in-law suites or backyard cottages) within the state's subsidized housing inventory. It would require housing authorities to count ADUs as part of their affordable housing stock when reporting on subsidized housing availability. The bill directly affects state housing agencies, local municipalities, and developers building or converting properties with ADUs. As a draft currently being worked on by House Counsel, specific implementation details and timelines are not yet finalized. No substantive policy provisions or voting records are available in the provided context.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates counting ADUs in subsidized housing inventory, expanding affordable housing availability by including accessory units in reported stock.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1492: An Act expanding the definition of affordable housing to include manufactured homes

By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1492) of David F. DeCoste relative to expanding the definition of affordable housing to include manufactured homes. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands affordable housing definition to include manufactured homes, directly advancing access to affordable housing options per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1504: An Act relative to mobile homes as affordable housing

By Representative Frost of Auburn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1504) of Paul K. Frost, David F. DeCoste and Joseph D. McKenna relative to the inclusion of mobile homes in the definition of affordable housing. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly expands affordable housing definition to include mobile homes, increasing accessible housing options under the topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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