Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 876: An Act relative to cimex lectularius

This bill establishes clear procedures for addressing bed bug infestations in rental properties. It requires tenants to immediately notify landlords of infestations and cooperate with inspections/treatments (e.g., sealing belongings, allowing 24-hour access). Landlords must inspect within 5 business days of notice, hire certified pest control within 10 days, and verify units are bug-free before new leases. The law applies to multi-unit dwellings but excludes single-family homes (Section 1(b)).

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates landlord pest control response for bed bug infestations in rentals, directly strengthening tenant habitability protections in multi-unit housing per the defined topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 751: An Act to promote low-income access to solar

This bill (SD 751) requires Massachusetts' Department of Energy Resources to expand access to solar incentive programs for low-income renters and customers. It creates a verification process to confirm eligibility based on income thresholds (80% of area median income or 200% of federal poverty level) and includes renters in low-income housing buildings or qualifying small businesses. The law prohibits credit checks and early termination fees for residential customers, mandates monthly updates for on-bill solar credits, and exempts multi-unit low-income building owners from program participation limits. These changes aim to make solar energy benefits more accessible to historically underserved communities through concrete administrative requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands solar incentives for low-income renters, directly promoting renewable energy access and advancing clean energy adoption without restrictions.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands solar incentives for low-income renters in housing buildings, reducing energy costs and prohibiting tenant fees - directly supports affordable housing and tenant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1208: An Act expanding homestead protections

This bill amends Chapter 188, Section 3 of Massachusetts General Laws to expand homestead protections by adding "including suspended levies" after "legacies." It directly affects homeowners in Massachusetts whose primary residences are at risk of property seizure due to debt, specifically covering cases involving temporary holds on property (suspended levies). The key change ensures that properties under a suspended levy - where a court has paused a potential seizure - remain protected under homestead laws. This update clarifies and broadens existing protections without creating new requirements or funding. The amendment is a technical adjustment to existing law, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands homestead protections to include suspended levies, preventing forced seizures of primary residences and strengthening homeowner property rights under housing policy.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1526: An Act protecting the interests of housing cooperative shareholders

HD 1526 creates a new tax deduction for resident shareholders in Massachusetts housing cooperatives. The deduction applies to shareholders who lived in their cooperative unit for the entire tax year and did not claim a federal deduction for real estate taxes or mortgage interest. This provision specifically targets housing cooperatives organized under Chapter 156B or Chapter 157 of the General Laws. The bill directly benefits qualifying cooperative residents by providing a state-level tax break.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a state tax deduction for housing coop shareholders, providing tax relief to qualifying residents, aligning with support indicators for middle-income tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides state tax deduction for housing coop shareholders, lowering costs for affordable housing residents in Massachusetts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Mortgages

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1886: An Act relative to rent escrow

This bill (HD 1886) creates a court-ordered rent escrow process for tenants facing eviction in Massachusetts. It requires tenants who want to withhold rent for repairs to deposit the full amount due (including fair market value from when withholding began) into court escrow during eviction proceedings. Funds held in escrow must first cover repair costs if the tenant wins the case. Tenants who fail to make the deposit face a mandatory court trial without delay. The bill directly affects tenants in eviction cases who need to withhold rent to address housing issues.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates rent escrow for repairs during eviction, protecting tenants from immediate eviction while ensuring repair costs are covered, strengthening tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 307: An Act creating a shelter provider rate study

This bill requires the Executive Office of Housing and Liveable Communities to conduct a study by October 1, 2026, on rates for emergency shelter providers. The study aims to establish a rate-setting process similar to the one created under Chapter 257 of the 2008 Massachusetts laws. It directly affects emergency shelter providers by potentially changing how their operating rates are determined. The bill itself does not set new rates but mandates this study to inform future rate-setting.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStudy establishes rate-setting process for emergency shelters, supporting homeless services and affordable housing access through potential funding improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2425: An Act relative to housing rehabilitation grant programs

This bill requires homeowners insurance companies in Massachusetts to extend coverage by 60 days for policyholders whose insurance was canceled due to property conditions, *if* they are approved for a federal, state, or local housing rehabilitation grant to fix those exact conditions. It directly affects homeowners facing insurance cancellation for property issues who qualify for rehabilitation grants. The key mechanism mandates insurers to provide this extension upon verification by the insurance commissioner that the grant is for repairs addressing the cited property condition. This creates a temporary insurance safety net during the rehabilitation process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates insurance coverage extension for homeowners using rehabilitation grants, enabling property repairs and preventing displacement without restricting housing access.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2404: An Act relative to tax credits for residents in manufactured housing communities

This bill creates a $1,500 tax credit for residents in Massachusetts manufactured housing communities who need to replace above-ground oil tanks for health and safety reasons. The credit applies specifically to residents removing tanks that require replacement due to safety hazards, following state guidelines. It directly affects residents living in manufactured housing communities who own such tanks. The provision requires tank replacement to meet Massachusetts safety standards, focusing on improving resident safety through financial assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $1,500 tax credit for safety-related tank replacements in manufactured housing, offering targeted tax relief to lower-income residents per safety standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $1,500 tax credit for manufactured housing residents to replace hazardous oil tanks, reducing financial barriers for safety upgrades in affordable housing communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2634: An Act relative to meeting the Commonwealth's water infrastructure future

HD 2634 allocates $2.2 billion to modernize Massachusetts' water infrastructure, primarily through $2 billion for expanding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's service area to support housing development and address PFAS-contaminated water supplies. The bill prioritizes funding for debt relief to improve affordability in struggling communities, grants for sewer and water upgrades tied to housing projects, and research on PFAS and biosolids. It also establishes a commission to review water transfer laws for housing development and requires annual reports on expansion projects and barriers. The funding directly affects municipalities, water utilities, and communities with water quality issues, with specific targets for housing-related infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds PFAS cleanup and water infrastructure to address contamination, directly protecting water quality and reducing pollution per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $2B to expand water authority service area to support housing development, includes debt relief for affordability and grants tied to housing projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2739: An Act encouraging home ownership by establishing a first time home buyers savings account

HD 2739 creates a Massachusetts tax-advantaged savings account to help first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals to open a designated savings account (with a financial institution) to save for down payments and closing costs on a single-family home, with tax deductions for contributions (up to $10,000 annually for individuals or $20,000 for joint filers). The account must be used within 15 years for eligible home purchases by a qualified beneficiary (a Massachusetts resident who hasn’t owned a home in 3 years), with a lifetime cap of $100,000 in contributions and earnings. Unused funds after the 15-year period become taxable income. The bill applies specifically to Massachusetts income tax returns and does not provide direct grants or loans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax-advantaged savings with annual deductions ($10k/$20k), providing direct tax relief for middle-income first-time homebuyers, aligning with fiscal support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax-advantaged savings for first-time homebuyers, reducing financial barriers to homeownership and advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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