Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 259: An Act relative to emergency housing assistance eligibility requirements

HD 259 amends Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program to restrict eligibility exclusively to U.S. citizens. The bill adds a provision stating that the program "shall be available only to residents of the commonwealth who are citizens of the United States," overriding any existing laws or regulations that might have allowed non-citizens to qualify. This change directly affects non-citizen residents who previously might have accessed emergency housing aid. The policy shift eliminates eligibility for non-citizen residents under this specific assistance program.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts emergency housing aid to U.S. citizens only, eliminating non-citizen eligibility and reducing program accessibility.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts emergency housing assistance to U.S. citizens only, eliminating non-citizen access to state services per bill summary.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2570: An Act relative to housing developments in small communities

This bill exempts Massachusetts towns with fewer than 30,000 residents from Chapter 40B housing requirements. It requires any proposed 40B housing project in these small towns to gain approval from at least 70% of voters in a town election. Current Chapter 40B projects in qualifying communities would be paused until the legislature acts. The bill directly affects small towns and housing developers seeking to build under Chapter 40B. It changes the process by adding voter approval as a mandatory step for new projects.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts 40B housing development in small towns by requiring 70% voter approval and pausing existing projects, directly limiting affordable housing access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3676: An Act to exempt local housing authorities from the penalties of the MBTA Communities Law

This bill exempts local housing authorities from penalties under the MBTA Communities Law. Specifically, it amends state law to exclude housing authorities defined in Chapter 121B from the penalties for not meeting housing development requirements near transit hubs. The change adds a clear exception to Section 3A of Chapter 40A, ensuring these authorities are not penalized for failing to meet the law's housing goals. This directly affects municipal housing authorities that manage public housing under Chapter 121B.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExempts housing authorities from penalties for not meeting transit-oriented housing goals, weakening enforcement of development requirements under MBTA Communities Law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3360: An Act relative to emergency housing assistance residency requirements

This bill requires applicants for Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program to have lived in the state for at least six months, with exceptions for domestic violence victims and those displaced by fires or natural disasters in Massachusetts. Applicants must provide proof of residency through documents like state IDs, mail, or bills. The rule applies to all applications submitted on or after the bill's effective date. It modifies existing eligibility rules but does not change the program's core purpose of providing housing aid to qualifying residents.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAdds six-month residency requirement for emergency housing aid, restricting access to new residents except in specific cases, limiting program eligibility.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 626: An Act ensuring fair housing for homeless families

This bill amends Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program to require applicants to have resided in the Commonwealth for at least one year. It directly affects homeless families seeking emergency housing assistance by adding this residency requirement, which overrides existing laws or regulations. The key provision explicitly states that the program will only be available to residents meeting this one-year residency threshold. This change modifies eligibility criteria without altering other program details.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAdds one-year residency requirement, restricting access to emergency housing for homeless families who don't meet threshold, weakening program eligibility.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4241: An Act repealing the misused and misguided right to shelter law that is unique to Massachusetts

HD 4241 repeals Section 30 of Chapter 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws, which was part of a state law establishing a legal right to shelter. The bill would remove this specific provision from Massachusetts law, ending the state's unique requirement for shelter services under that section. This repeal directly affects Massachusetts state law by eliminating a provision that applied only to the state's legal framework for shelter access. The bill does not create new requirements or alter other aspects of shelter policy.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRepeals MA's right to shelter law, ending state requirement for shelter services, weakening tenant protections for homeless individuals.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRepealing Massachusetts' right to shelter law removes a state-provided service for immigrants, restricting access to shelter. Bill explicitly targets this provision as 'misused,' indicating intent to limit immigrant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1185: An Act establishing residency requirements for emergency housing assistance

By Ms. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 975) of Kelly A. Dooner for legislation to establish residency requirements for emergency housing assistance. Housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEstablishes residency requirements for emergency housing assistance, restricting access to those meeting specific residency criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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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 Dec 4, 2025

S 1018: An Act allowing municipalities to preserve owner occupancy

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1018) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to allow municipalities to preserve owner occupancy in accessory dwelling units. Housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill enables municipalities to restrict accessory dwelling units to owner occupancy, limiting rental housing supply and opposing affordable housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1508: An Act repealing the misused and misguided right to shelter law that is unique to Massachusetts

By Representative Gaskey of Carver, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1508) of John R. Gaskey relative to repealing the emergency housing assistance program. Housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill explicitly repeals emergency housing assistance program, directly weakening tenant protections and reducing housing support per title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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