Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3923: An Act relative to unreasonable property tax increases

This bill caps annual property tax increases for existing residential homes at 20% of the previous year's tax amount. It also prohibits municipalities from reassessing properties or imposing additional tax hikes for three years after a triggering event, such as the sale of comparable homes in the area. The law applies to homes not classified as new construction or fully reconstructed, and requires the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to monitor compliance and establish appeal processes for homeowners. Homeowners can challenge assessments that violate these limits through existing legal channels.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps annual property tax increases at 20% and prohibits reassessment hikes, restricting municipal tax authority on existing homes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps property tax increases for homeowners, preventing displacement and protecting housing stability for existing residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2541: An Act to establish a Massachusetts public bank

This bill proposes establishing a Massachusetts public bank owned by the state to manage public funds and provide affordable financing. It would directly affect state/local governments, small/middle-sized businesses (especially in underserved communities), minority/women-owned enterprises, and organizations addressing housing, climate, and racial equity. Key mechanisms include depositing state funds in the bank, using those funds for self-sustaining lending, and requiring the bank to prioritize economic development, disaster recovery, affordable housing, sustainable agriculture, climate initiatives, and support for minority-owned businesses and rural areas. The bank would be supervised by the commissioner of banks and must operate under a public business plan.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDeposits state funds in public bank for targeted lending, advancing fiscal management and funding underserved communities per bill's mechanism.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly prioritizes 'organizations addressing climate' for financing, directly advancing environmental efforts through public bank lending mechanisms.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes public bank to provide affordable financing, prioritizing organizations addressing housing (along with climate/racial equity), directly funding housing initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Natural Disasters Affordable Housing Property Development

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4371: An Act authorizing the city of Somerville to impose a real estate transfer fee

Somerville would impose a 2% fee on most real estate transfers (1% paid by the seller, 1% by the buyer), with exemptions for transfers between family members, government entities, and certain vulnerable seniors or qualifying residential property owners. The fee funds the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which must support programs like community land trusts and purpose-built housing for current or recent residents. The city must track who pays the fee and report annually on how funds are used to support housing stability and affordability. This applies to residential properties (excluding those with four+ units) and requires documentation with property deeds before recording.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a fee to fund affordable housing programs including community land trusts and purpose-built housing for residents, directly advancing affordable housing goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1141: An Act relative to assisting elders and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth

This bill (HD 1141) updates Massachusetts assistance programs for elders and people with disabilities. It requires that individuals experiencing homelessness - those with no permanent residence or staying in temporary shelters - to receive the same payment rates as those paying for shelter (like rent or mortgage), with the department creating rules to implement this. It also mandates annual budget increases for recipients based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index plus an additional percentage approved by the legislature, and sets the program's maximum benefit level equal to a similar program in Chapter 118. These changes directly affect low-income elders and disabled residents who are homeless or in temporary housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual budget increases for recipients based on CPI + additional percentage, funding essential elder/disability assistance programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates equal payment rates for homeless individuals (vs. shelter rent/mortgage), directly addressing homelessness and housing stability for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Mortgages Renters

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1325: An Act establishing a Zero Carbon Renovation Fund

This bill establishes a $300 million Zero Carbon Renovation Fund administered by multiple state agencies to support energy-efficient building upgrades. It directly affects affordable housing, low/moderate income homes, public schools, municipal buildings, and certified small businesses across Massachusetts. The fund covers renovations that make buildings highly energy efficient, use all-electric systems, include on-site renewable energy, and use low-carbon materials, while also funding necessary remediation like lead paint removal or electrical upgrades. Priority is given to environmental justice communities and "gateway cities," with funds carried forward annually instead of reverting to the general budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $300M fund for energy-efficient building upgrades, directly funding public infrastructure and affordable housing programs through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds zero-carbon building upgrades with renewable energy systems and efficiency measures, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes $300M fund for zero-carbon building upgrades using renewable energy, low-carbon materials, and energy efficiency, directly reducing emissions and advancing environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds $300M for energy-efficient upgrades in affordable housing, low/moderate income homes, and public buildings, directly supporting housing affordability and sustainability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Environmental Justice Affordable Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 804: An Act to study single-stair residential buildings

SD 804 establishes a special commission to study whether single-stair multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) can be legalized in Massachusetts. The commission, composed of fire safety experts, architects, building officials, and housing advocates, will develop a building code amendment that includes safety measures for these structures. It must build on prior research and analyze safety comparisons to two-stair buildings, plus create an implementation plan. The study will be funded with $250,000 from the General Fund. This bill does not change current law but sets the stage for potential future code updates affecting developers and residents of mid-rise housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStudies legalizing single-stair buildings to potentially increase housing supply and development, aligning with affordable housing goals through code reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1392: An Act to study single-stair residential buildings

This bill creates a special commission to study whether single-stair, multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) should be legalized in Massachusetts. The commission, including fire safety experts, architects, building officials, and housing advocates, will develop building code amendments with safety measures, building on prior research. It allocates $250,000 from the General Fund to fund this study and produce recommendations. The bill itself does not change current laws but authorizes the study to inform future building code changes for this housing type.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds study to potentially legalize single-stair buildings, enabling more housing development and addressing supply constraints.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 423: An Act relative to crumbling concrete foundations

This bill creates the Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund to help Massachusetts homeowners repair or replace residential foundations damaged by minerals like pyrite or pyrrhotite. The fund, managed by the Secretary of Housing, provides direct financial assistance to affected homeowners, reimburses those who already paid for repairs (up to the fund's coverage limit), and minimizes financial strain on municipalities. Key provisions include tax exemptions on repaired foundations, annual reporting requirements, and a requirement for the Secretary to seek federal funding to support the program. A stakeholder working group must also develop long-term recommendations by 2026 on funding models and consumer protections. The bill directly affects homeowners with deteriorated foundations and local governments facing related costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemption on repaired foundations, directly reducing homeowner tax burden - clear tax relief under Budget & Taxes topic95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund for housing foundation repairs, providing direct financial aid and tax exemptions to homeowners, directly supporting housing stability and property rights.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2049: An Act to expand the low income home energy assistance program

SD 2049 expands Massachusetts' low-income home energy assistance program to include cooling support. It provides up to $500 per household for air conditioners, ceiling fans, or box fans, plus electric bill assistance during hot weather, targeting households earning under 60% of state median income. The bill requires 10% of annual LIHEAP funds to support this program, prioritizing underserved communities based on income, housing conditions, and climate vulnerability. The Department of Housing must report annually on program participation, equipment distributed, and costs to relevant legislative committees.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands LIHEAP for cooling support with energy-efficient appliances, reducing energy burden on low-income households and prioritizing climate-vulnerable communities.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prioritizes communities based on 'climate vulnerability' and addresses heat-related energy needs during climate impacts, directly aligning with climate change adaptation policies under environmental protection.80% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands energy assistance targeting households with housing conditions and income, reducing housing cost burdens for low-income residents under 60% AMI.92% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1944: An Act promoting resilience against the heat-related impacts of climate change

HD 1944 creates a low-income cooling assistance program to help vulnerable residents - such as seniors, young children, and people with certain health conditions - pay for cooling costs or receive energy-efficient appliances. It also prevents utility shutoffs for residential cooling during extreme heat (95°F+ heat index) or poor air quality (AQI 151+). The bill mandates a study on updating building temperature standards and establishes an extreme heat task force to develop emergency protocols and coordinate cooling strategies across state agencies. These provisions directly affect low-income households, utility providers, and public health systems in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes energy-efficient appliances for low-income residents and prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat, advancing energy efficiency and consumer protection in energy infrastructure.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly addresses climate change impacts through heat resilience programs, prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat (climate-related), and mandates a heat task force - clearly advancing environmental protection efforts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides cooling assistance for vulnerable residents and prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat, supporting housing stability for low-income households.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change

Track