HD 815 establishes the Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives within the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The center will provide education, outreach, and research to expand resident-owned cooperative housing, particularly for low-to-moderate income residents, and coordinate resources. The bill allocates $100 million in fiscal year 2026 specifically for acquiring, rehabilitating, and preserving cooperative housing properties through agencies like the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. It also requires the center to issue annual reports on cooperative housing activities and fund distribution. This creates a dedicated state infrastructure to support cooperative housing development and preservation.
HD 3790 establishes the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Trust Fund to help low- and moderate-income property owners (earning up to 110% of the area median income) build ADUs. The fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, or reimbursements for pre-development costs like permits, design fees, site preparation, and utility connections. Administered by the Executive Office of Housing or contracted agencies (such as MassHousing), the fund uses state appropriations, grants, and investment income, with unused funds carrying over annually. Assistance is limited to the minimum amount needed to make ADU projects feasible, directly supporting property owners seeking to add secondary housing units.
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 215) of Marjorie C. Decker for legislation to provide services to certain children experiencing homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
This bill exempts a specific Dorchester affordable housing and branch library project from standard public procurement laws in Massachusetts (like Chapter 149 and Chapter 7C). It allows the Boston Redevelopment Authority and Boston Public Library to bypass typical public bidding requirements for planning, construction, and property acquisition related to this single project on city-owned land. However, if the project uses federal low-income housing tax credits or tax-exempt bonds, construction contracts for related public works must follow standard Chapter 30, Section 39M rules. The bill also specifies that transferring the project to a nonprofit developer must comply with Chapter 30B, unless the entity is controlled by the library.
By Representative Robertson of Tewksbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3220) of David Allen Robertson for legislation to establish tax credits for certain development on Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority property. Revenue.
By Representative Soter of Bellingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3247) of Michael J. Soter, Joseph D. McKenna and Marcus S. Vaughn for legislation to further regulate tax deductions for renovation of abandoned buildings. Revenue.
By Representative Worrell of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3443) of Christopher J. Worrell (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to the procurement and award of contracts for construction of a certain subsidized affordable housing project, including space for a branch library to be procured by the Boston Public Library, in the city of Boston. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. [Local Approval Received.]
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 215) of Marjorie C. Decker for legislation to provide services to certain children experiencing homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
This bill authorizes the creation of a Boston Public Library branch within a Dorchester affordable housing development. It modifies standard public procurement rules for the library's construction, requiring the project to follow specific sections of Chapter 149 (instead of general public contracting laws) and triggering Chapter 30's Section 39M if low-income housing tax credits or similar funding is used. The bill directly affects the Boston Public Library, the housing developer, and residents of the Dorchester development by streamlining contract rules for this specific project. It does not alter broader library services or housing policies.
HD 1066 amends Massachusetts' industrial development finance authority (IDFA) laws to expand eligibility for financing. The key change (Section 3) adds rental housing - including low- and moderate-income housing under Chapter 40B - to the definition of "industrial enterprise," allowing IDFAs to finance such projects. This directly affects municipalities and developers seeking to use IDFA bonds for housing developments. The bill clarifies bond issuance authority (Section 4) and removes outdated references to "MIFA" and other administrative terms throughout the chapter. These changes streamline financing for housing projects under IDFA programs.
