Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1737: An Act providing a buffer for manufactured home communities

This bill establishes a 0.2-mile buffer zone around manufactured home communities in Massachusetts MBTA communities. It requires local zoning ordinances to prohibit new multi-family housing developments (like apartment buildings) within this buffer distance. The law directly affects manufactured home communities by limiting nearby development and impacts developers or communities planning new housing projects near these areas. The key mechanism is the mandatory zoning restriction to keep new multi-family housing separate from manufactured home communities.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts multi-family housing development near manufactured home communities, limiting new affordable housing options and preventing nearby apartment projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1342: An Act relative to the defense of private property rights through the prevention of abusive eminent domain takings in the Commonwealth

HD 1342 restricts when governments can take private property through eminent domain. It prohibits takings for private development, commercial projects, or transferring property from one owner to another for "more profitable use," requiring that takings serve a true public purpose like roads or parks. The bill mandates courts - not government claims - to decide if a proposed use is genuinely public, and if property isn't used for its intended purpose within 5 years, the government must offer to resell it to the original owner at the original price or current fair market value (whichever is lower). This directly affects property owners and government agencies using eminent domain in Massachusetts.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts eminent domain for private development, including housing projects, limiting housing development opportunities through property rights restrictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1419: An Act relative to guidelines for MBTA communities

HD 1419 modifies Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3A, regarding MBTA communities (municipalities near transit hubs). It prohibits state grant programs from considering a community's compliance with Chapter 40A, Section 3A when awarding funds. The bill also delays the effective date of any new or revised compliance guidelines until December 31, 2028. These changes directly affect MBTA communities and state housing agencies administering grants. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prohibits state grants from considering MBTA community compliance with housing development rules, weakening enforcement of affordable housing policies under Chapter 40A.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate May 1, 2025

SD 2861: Executive Office for Administration and Finance Hotel Closure Plan

Report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its plan to phase out the use of hotels and motels for emergency housing assistance not later than December 31, 2025

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingPhases out hotels/motels for emergency housing by 2025, reducing current emergency housing assistance program.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2290: An Act providing for municipal flexibility in state housing mandates

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2290) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and others that municipalities are authorized to petition for exemption from compliance with certain state-imposed housing mandates. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows municipalities to petition for exemption from state housing mandates, potentially reducing enforcement of housing development requirements.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2340: An Act repealing section 3A relative to MBTA communities

By Representative Sweezey of Duxbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2340) of Kenneth P. Sweezey and others for legislation to repeal certain provisions of Housing Choice Initiative. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill repeals provisions of Housing Choice Initiative, directly weakening housing policy framework without supporting language.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 625: An Act relative to the HomeBase Program

This bill (SD 625) amends Massachusetts law to require that applicants for the HomeBase housing assistance program must have resided in the Commonwealth for at least one year to qualify. It directly affects individuals seeking housing support through HomeBase, adding a new residency requirement to the existing eligibility criteria. The key provision inserts a specific one-year residency rule into the program's legal definition, changing who can apply. This is a concrete policy change to program eligibility under state law.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAdds one-year residency requirement, restricting eligibility for housing assistance program. Limits access to new residents seeking housing support.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4161: An Act relative to public safety, fiscal responsibility, and emergency assistance

This bill modifies Massachusetts law regarding immigration cooperation and emergency housing assistance. For public safety, it requires state/local law enforcement to detain certain individuals for up to 12 hours (with judicial review within that timeframe) when ICE requests custody for non-citizens convicted of specific serious offenses like terrorism, gang activity, or violent crimes. For emergency housing, it restricts eligibility to U.S. citizens or immigrants with 12 consecutive months of continuous Massachusetts residency, requiring specific documentation (e.g., tax returns, driver's license, utility bills) and prohibiting fraudulent applications. These changes directly affect immigrants seeking housing assistance and law enforcement agencies handling ICE requests.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates detention of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes (terrorism, violence) for public safety, strengthening law enforcement cooperation within criminal justice framework.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts emergency housing eligibility to citizens/12+ month residents, limiting access to housing assistance per bill summary95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates detention for ICE custody requests on serious offenses and restricts emergency housing to citizens or long-term immigrants, increasing enforcement cooperation and limiting service access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1017: An Act to reform the emergency assistance shelter program

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1017) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to reform the emergency assistance shelter program by limiting the scope to residents of the Commonwealth. Housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill explicitly limits emergency shelter program scope to Commonwealth residents, restricting access to housing assistance as per 'limit' indicator in OPPOSE definition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 1512: An Act to exempt local housing authorities from the penalties of the MBTA Communities Law

By Representative Haggerty of Woburn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1512) of Richard M. Haggerty, David F. DeCoste and Colleen M. Garry relative to the operations of local housing authorities. Housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExempting housing authorities from MBTA penalties weakens enforcement of housing development requirements under the law.85% confidence

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