Housing (Community Development)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1881: An Act relative to incentivizing multi-family housing through redevelopment

This bill creates a program to incentivize multi-family housing redevelopment in rural areas. It allows the Department of Housing and Community Development to certify projects that substantially rehabilitate existing properties (not new construction) to include at least 80% market-rate units, provided they're located in designated rural areas. Municipalities must apply to have areas designated as rural, and projects must demonstrate alignment with local plans and potential to boost residential growth. The department must review certification applications within 90 days, with automatic 20-year approval if they fail to act.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates program incentivizing multi-family housing redevelopment in rural areas, directly advancing housing development - a core aspect of the topic. Requires 80% market-rate units but focuses on redevelopment (not new construction) to boost ...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Historic Preservation Tags Rural Communities

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3694: An Act relative to housing service coordinators

HD 3694 establishes a program for housing service coordinators to assist residents in privately owned state and federally assisted housing. These coordinators help reduce evictions, increase housing stability, and connect residents to education, job training, and other services that promote economic self-sufficiency. Property owners must provide tenants 30 days to meet with a coordinator before filing most eviction notices (unless immediate health/safety threats exist), and the Department of Housing and Community Development must report quarterly on coordinator numbers, locations, and evictions prevented.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates housing service coordinators to reduce evictions, increase housing stability, and require 30-day coordinator meetings before most evictions, directly protecting tenant rights and advancing housing stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConnects residents to job training/services promoting economic self-sufficiency, aligning with employment support indicators while focusing on housing stability.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Tenant Rights Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3703: An Act ensuring continued rights for public housing residents

This bill (HD 3703) protects current public housing residents in Massachusetts during project transfers or redevelopment. It requires that tenants maintain all original rights under federal, state, and local subsidy programs - including lease terms, eviction protections, and privacy rights - unless necessary for financing or program eligibility. The law prohibits re-screening existing tenants, reducing their assistance, or displacing them from affordable housing, and mandates that redevelopment preserves the same number of low-rent units. Housing authorities must implement these protections through contracts detailing tenant input processes, monitoring compliance, and ensuring no displacement occurs, with tenants able to enforce these terms as third-party beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects tenant rights during redevelopment by maintaining lease terms, eviction protections, and preventing displacement of public housing residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 2343: An Act encouraging the adoption of smart growth and starter home zoning districts

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 176) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to encourage the adoption of smart growth and starter home zoning districts. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEncourages starter home zoning districts, promoting affordable housing development through smart growth policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3650: An Act providing for municipal flexibility in state housing mandates

HD 3650 allows Massachusetts municipalities to request exemptions from state housing mandates, such as those in Chapter 40A. A town or city can petition the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities if compliance would cause an undue financial burden, exceed local capacity for housing or infrastructure, or conflict with existing zoning. The bill requires petitioners to provide evidence supporting one of these three specific grounds. The Department of Housing and Community Development must create rules for reviewing these exemption requests, including timelines and approval criteria.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows municipalities to bypass state housing mandates (e.g., Chapter 40A), potentially reducing housing development and weakening enforcement of affordable housing requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 176: An Act encouraging the adoption of smart growth and starter home zoning districts

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 176) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to encourage the adoption of smart growth and starter home zoning districts. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly encourages zoning for starter homes (affordable housing) via smart growth, directly advancing housing development and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3094: An Act relative to incentivizing multi-family housing through redevelopment

By Representative Flanagan of Dennis, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3094) of Christopher Richard Flanagan for legislation to provide tax credits for certain certified rural housing redevelopment projects. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits for rural housing redevelopment projects, directly using fiscal policy to incentivize investment and development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credits for rural housing redevelopment projects to incentivize multi-family housing development, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Historic Preservation

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 182: An Act for community housing packages

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 182) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation for community housing packages. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title 'community housing packages' and Community Development focus indicate direct support for housing initiatives without opposition indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1488: An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1488) of Marjorie C. Decker that the Department of Housing and Community Development be authorized to administer a residential assistance for families in transition homelessness prevention program. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes housing department to administer homelessness prevention program, directly addressing housing stability through funding and prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homelessness Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 19, 2025

H 305: An Act improving housing opportunities

By Representative Puppolo of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 305) of Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., relative to zoning ordinances and by-laws and improving housing opportunities. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title and summary explicitly state 'improving housing opportunities' related to zoning, directly advancing housing access without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

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