This bill (H 4694) amends Chapter 40A of Massachusetts law to explicitly allow housing authorities to develop affordable or public housing, expanding eligibility beyond current entities like corporations. It directly affects municipal housing authorities and developers working with them, enabling them to create new affordable housing projects under existing legal frameworks. The key change adds housing authorities to the list of entities permitted to pursue affordable housing development under Chapter 40A. This is a technical update to existing law, not a new funding program or major policy shift.
By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1485) of Michael S. Day relative to comprehensive housing needs assessment and the promotion of affordable housing. Housing.
By Representative Cahill of Lynn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1472) of Daniel Cahill relative to affordable and public housing options. Housing.
By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1471) of Natalie M. Blais, Mindy Domb and Joanne M. Comerford relative to geographic equity in state-funded housing development. Housing.
By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3921) of Christine P. Barber (with approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation to further regulate the affordable housing trust in the city of Somerville. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]
By Representative Luddy of Orleans and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4318) of Hadley Luddy and Julian Cyr (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Harwich affordable housing trust to provide for the creation of attainable housing. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]
By Representative Moakley of Falmouth and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4378) of Thomas W. Moakley (by vote of the town) relative to the affordable housing trust fund of the town of West Tisbury. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]
This bill requires cities and towns with less than 10% multi-family housing to designate at least 1.5% of their "calculable developable land" (land suitable for housing, excluding protected areas like wetlands and public parks) for multi-family zoning. It mandates that these zones allow apartment or condo developments at a minimum density of 20 units per acre without special approval. The bill also streamlines approval for "open space residential" projects and creates a commission to study income limits for affordable housing, with a 2026 deadline for towns to identify developable land. It affects all Massachusetts municipalities and aims to expand housing options by clarifying land use rules.
By Representative Meschino of Hull, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4063) of Joan Meschino and Carmine Lawrence Gentile relative to increases of the annual rent of affordable housing units and for rental unit and project oversight. Housing.
By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1530) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to affordable housing and the preservation of community water resources. Housing.
