Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 4099: An Act to prohibit landlords and brokers from requiring broker's commissions to be paid by a tenant or prospective tenant

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4099) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Joanne M. Comerford (with the approval of the mayor and city council) that the city of Northampton be authorized to prohibit landlords and brokers from requiring broker's commissions to be paid by tenants or prospective tenants. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits tenant-paid broker commissions, reducing housing costs and protecting tenant rights per bill's explicit language90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 10, 2025

H 1090: An Act establishing a Massachusetts foreclosure prevention program

By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1090) of Christine P. Barber and others relative to establishing a foreclosure prevention program. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingForeclosure prevention protects homeowners from losing property, advancing housing stability and property rights per bill title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 3307: An Act banning hostile architecture targeting unhoused individuals

By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3307) of Mike Connolly for legislation to prohibit the construction of publicly accessible buildings or structures designed or intended to prevent unhoused individuals from sitting or lying on the building or structure at street level. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans hostile architecture preventing unhoused individuals from using public spaces, directly addressing homelessness and supporting unhoused people's access to public areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 18, 2025

H 4296: An Act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to dispose of certain parcels of land in the city of Brockton

This bill authorizes the state to transfer two specific parcels of land in Brockton for community use. The first parcel (to Catholic Charitable Bureau) is for affordable housing (for households earning ≤80% of area median income) and a community services center, sold for $1 with a reversion clause if purposes are violated. The second parcel (to the city of Brockton) is for redevelopment, also sold for $1, with net proceeds split equally between the city and state. Both transfers require competitive bidding if not used by 2030, and include oversight mechanisms like independent appraisals and committee reporting.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes affordable housing development for ≤80% AMI with $1 sale and reversion clause, directly advancing housing access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 2738: An Act addressing rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents

By Mrs. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2738) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kelly A. Dooner, Norman J. Orrall, Bruce E. Tarr, Kelly W. Pease and other members of the General Court for legislation to address rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents, reducing a barrier to affordable housing for this vulnerable group.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 19, 2025

H 3092: An Act reducing CPA recording fees for affordable housing

By Representative Ferrante of Gloucester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3092) of Ann-Margaret Ferrante relative to recording fees paid by certified public accountants to registers of deeds and assistant recorders under the community preservation law. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces CPA recording fees for affordable housing, providing tax relief to lower costs for housing projects. This supports public services and fiscal responsibility in housing affordability.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly reduces CPA recording fees for affordable housing under community preservation law, lowering costs to advance housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 134: An Act relative to reducing damage caused by the current foreclosure crisis in the historic districts of Massachusetts

This bill creates Historic District Stabilization Committees in Massachusetts communities facing foreclosure crises in designated historic areas. The committees, formed by local organizations, can acquire properties through eminent domain at fair market value to prevent vacant/vandalized homes. They must conduct market studies to establish a Community Appraisal Framework, manage occupied properties through homeowner counseling, and restore vacant properties to meet federal rehabilitation standards. These committees will also market acquired properties using the established framework to stabilize neighborhood values. The bill directly affects historic districts with high foreclosure rates, aiming to protect community investments without harming legitimate financial interests.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents vacant properties in historic districts via eminent domain acquisition and rehabilitation, stabilizing housing stock and preventing loss of affordable units during foreclosure crisis.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Homeownership Mortgages

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 158: An Act relative to consumer rights of renters

HD 158 limits how far in advance landlords can require new lease signings. It prohibits landlords or their agents from asking tenants to sign a lease more than three months before their current lease ends. This directly affects renters in residential properties by preventing long-term binding agreements before their current term concludes. The key provision enforces a clear 90-day maximum window for signing new leases, giving renters more flexibility and control over their housing contracts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits pre-leasing to 90 days, preventing forced early commitments and enhancing tenant flexibility/control per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 213: An Act to protect open space, historical resources, and community housing from coastal threats

This bill amends Massachusetts law to redefine "preservation" as protecting personal or real property from coastal threats like flooding, sea-level rise, and storm surge. It specifically includes measures such as building or repairing beaches, dunes, and seawalls to safeguard open spaces, historical sites, and community housing. The law change directly affects coastal communities by enabling these protective infrastructure projects under the "preservation" framework. This update modifies existing Chapter 44B definitions without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables coastal protection infrastructure (seawalls, dunes) to safeguard against climate threats like sea-level rise, directly advancing environmental preservation under 'preservation' framework.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly protects community housing from coastal threats via preservation framework, aligning with housing protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Historic Preservation

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 230: An Act relative to protection of a deceased family member against foreclosure and other civil action

This bill (HD 230) protects the family home of a deceased person from foreclosure or other civil actions while the estate is being settled through probate court. It allows the estate to request a 90-day delay in these actions by submitting two documents: proof that probate is preventing payment for home ownership costs, and a bank letter confirming the estate cannot access funds to pay. After probate appoints a personal administrator, creditors can seek back payments but cannot charge late fees unless the court finds the estate intentionally delayed the process. This directly affects families managing a deceased relative's home during probate, ensuring they have time to resolve financial matters without losing their home.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects family homes from foreclosure during probate, preventing forced sale and strengthening housing stability for estates during settlement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

Track