Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 976: An Act adjusting the area median income

HD 976 modifies Massachusetts housing laws to require zip code-level area median income (AMI) calculations in cities with over 100,000 residents for affordable housing programs. It amends multiple statutes (including Chapters 40R, 40T, 121B, and 62) to replace city-wide AMI standards with zip code-specific income thresholds for housing projects, developments, or households in large municipalities. This change directly affects affordable housing providers, developers, and residents in cities like Boston, Worcester, and Springfield by adjusting income eligibility criteria based on specific neighborhoods. The bill updates existing housing affordability rules without creating new programs or changing overall funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies AMI calculations to zip code-level, enabling precise affordable housing eligibility in large cities, advancing access to housing programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2049: An Act to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth

HD 2049 creates a new real estate licensing board in Massachusetts with specific requirements to combat housing discrimination. It mandates that real estate brokers and salespeople complete mandatory fair housing training (4 hours for new applicants, 4 hours during license renewal) and requires the board to publicly report discrimination complaints and disciplinary actions quarterly. The bill also updates enforcement by extending license suspensions for repeat violations of fair housing laws from 90 to 180 days and requires the board to suspend licenses following final court findings of discrimination. This directly affects licensed real estate professionals in Massachusetts through new training, reporting, and disciplinary requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates anti-discrimination training for real estate professionals and public reporting of complaints, directly preventing housing bias per tenant protection indicators.95% 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 · Senate

SD 1484: An Act to increase housing production in the city of Lowell

This bill amends zoning thresholds in Lowell to potentially increase housing production. It reduces specific numerical limits in existing law: changing "45" to "40" (Section 1), "180" to "187" (Section 2), and "81" to "75" (Section 3). These changes adjust development requirements for housing projects in Lowell, directly affecting developers and city planners. The bill modifies technical thresholds without specifying new policy outcomes, focusing solely on adjusting existing numerical parameters in zoning regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to increase housing production in Lowell through zoning adjustments, directly advancing housing development goals without restricting development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3742: An Act creating an office of tenant protections

This bill creates a new Office of Tenant Protections within Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. It directly affects tenants and landlords by establishing a dedicated office to enforce existing minimum housing standards for habitability (defined in state regulations). The office gains authority to inspect properties, issue noncompliance orders, hold hearings, and impose fines for violations of these standards, working alongside health departments. Final enforcement decisions will be subject to judicial appeal, following procedures similar to those for health board decisions. The bill does not create new housing standards but formalizes enforcement of current regulations (105 CMR 410.000 and 940 CMR 3.17).

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates dedicated Office of Tenant Protections to enforce habitability standards, inspect properties, and impose fines, directly strengthening tenant rights enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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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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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1651: An Act establishing the gateway cities renewable, efficient, and electrified neighborhoods initiative

This bill creates the GREEN Initiative to retrofit existing low- and moderate-income housing in designated "gateway" municipalities (or smaller qualifying communities) to meet ultra-energy-efficient standards. It requires retrofits to use clean heating (like heat pumps) and cooking technologies (like induction stoves), with priority for buildings under six housing units. Funding comes from utility companies (up to $30 million annually) and other sources, while protecting tenants from rent hikes tied to weatherization work through enforceable "tenant-owner agreements." The goal is to reduce emissions in affordable housing through energy-efficient upgrades powered by renewable electricity where possible.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates clean heating/cooking tech (heat pumps, induction) in retrofits, funds via utility fees to boost energy efficiency and renewable adoption in housing.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds retrofits with clean heating/cooking tech to meet energy efficiency standards, directly reducing emissions and advancing environmental protection in housing.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds retrofits for low-income housing with tenant rent protection, advancing affordable housing access through energy efficiency upgrades.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Renters

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1223: An Act relative to rental protections for elderly, disabled and low-to-middle income tenants

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1152) of Jason M. Lewis and Mark C. Montigny for legislation relative to the termination of rental agreements or tenancy by certain tenants. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections for vulnerable groups by preventing rental termination, directly advancing tenant rights as per housing topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2082: 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 ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reforms emergency shelter program to limit scope to state residents, directly addressing homelessness (a housing issue). Reform implies strengthening program targeting, not restricting assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2499: An Act authorizing the town of Brookline to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 960) of Cynthia Stone Creem (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Brookline to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly authorizes rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections, directly strengthening tenant rights and affordable housing access in Brookline.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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