Housing

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2085: 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 ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows municipalities to preserve owner occupancy in accessory dwelling units (ADUs), increasing housing supply and affordability options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3871: An Act addressing squatter’s rights

This bill (HD 3871) modifies Massachusetts law to clarify procedures for removing occupants without legal rights to residential property. It specifically excludes tenants with valid leases or written agreements from being considered "squatters" and protects their right to remain. Landlords can now request sheriff removal of occupants who entered without permission, didn't have a lease, were told to leave, and stayed after their lease expired or violated terms. Landlords must submit a verified petition to the sheriff confirming these conditions are met, either in writing or online. The bill directly affects landlords seeking eviction and occupants without formal lease agreements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly protects tenants with valid leases from wrongful removal as 'squatters', strengthening tenant rights and preventing unjust displacement in housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1214: An Act providing renter relief tax credit

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1970) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to provide an increase in the renter relief tax credit. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases renter relief tax credit, providing direct tax relief to lower-income renters, aligning with support indicators for tax relief and middle-income assistance.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases renter relief tax credit, directly providing financial support to renters for affordable housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3903: An Act enhancing prioritization for the emergency assistance program

This bill changes eligibility for Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program by requiring applicants to have lived in the state for at least three months. It exempts veterans, their immediate family, domestic violence victims, and people displaced by fires or natural disasters in Massachusetts from this residency requirement. Applicants must provide documentation like ID, utility bills, or bank statements to prove residency. The rule applies to all applications submitted on or after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enhances emergency housing program eligibility by prioritizing vulnerable groups (veterans, domestic violence victims) and requiring documentation to verify residency, strengthening access to housing assistance.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from residency requirement for emergency housing assistance, directly advancing access to services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1129: An Act relative to the Massachusetts lead law and promoting equal access to lead-free housing

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1524) of James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to the Massachusetts lead law and promoting equal access to lead-free housing. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes equal access to lead-free housing, directly protecting tenants from health hazards and advancing safe housing standards as a tenant protection measure.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 313: An Act encouraging home ownership by establishing a first time home buyers savings account

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2002) of Dylan A. Fernandes relative to the establishment of first-time homebuyer savings accounts and providing for an income tax deduction for certain amounts contributed to such accounts. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides income tax deduction for first-time homebuyers, offering tax relief to middle-income residents per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax deduction for first-time homebuyer savings accounts, incentivizing homeownership and increasing access to affordable housing through financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2996: An Act to regulate junk fees in rental housing

This bill (HD 2996) regulates excessive fees in rental housing by limiting upfront costs landlords can charge tenants. It prohibits fees for "holding over" after lease expiration, lease renewals, or substitutions, and bans mandatory charges for amenities like internet or insurance. Landlords must disclose optional fees clearly (including cost and cancellation options) and cannot force electronic payments or charge for not using them. Violations require landlords to pay tenants 3x the excess fee plus legal costs. The bill directly affects tenants and landlords in Massachusetts rental agreements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRegulates excessive rental fees, prohibits mandatory charges, and mandates clear fee disclosure, directly protecting tenants and increasing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1353: An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty

HD 1353 increases monthly benefits for low-income households receiving state assistance programs. It mandates a 20% annual benefit increase starting July 1, 2025, until payments reach 50% of the federal poverty level for each household size. Once this target is met, benefits will automatically adjust each July to maintain at least 50% of the federal poverty level. The bill also includes adjustments for clothing allowances and rental costs for eligible households. This directly affects low-income families relying on these state assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 20% annual state spending increases for low-income assistance until benefits reach 50% of federal poverty level, directly expanding government appropriations for social programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases state benefits for low-income households with specific rental cost adjustments, directly boosting affordable housing affordability through enhanced housing expense support.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3782: An Act reforming the MBTA Communities Act

This bill amends Massachusetts' MBTA Communities Act to update housing requirements for municipalities near transit. It requires MBTA communities to either adopt zoning allowing 10% more multifamily units than their latest census count, build 5% of census-based housing units, or implement an approved housing plan to maintain funding eligibility. Communities must also meet a 25% threshold of multifamily housing units in their latest census data to comply. The bill uses the previous census data for the first four years after new census results are released. These changes directly affect all Massachusetts cities and towns classified as MBTA communities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 10% more multifamily units in MBTA communities, directly advancing housing development and affordable housing goals per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires MBTA communities to increase housing near transit, promoting transit-oriented development and ridership to strengthen public transit infrastructure access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 6, 2025

H 51: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates $425 million from the General Fund to provide supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, directly affecting families experiencing homelessness. Key provisions require these funds to be used for specific housing-related services outlined in prior legislation and allow transfers to state agencies or workforce programs supporting this population. The bill also makes technical changes to eligibility rules for the emergency housing assistance program, specifying that families with children or pregnant women may remain eligible for up to six consecutive months of aid (removing prior restrictions on weekly terminations). These funds are available through June 2026 and must follow existing laws governing public fund disbursement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $425M from General Fund to fund housing services for unhoused families, directly increasing public service funding as a core budget action.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $425M for supportive housing services and safe shelter for unhoused families, directly addressing homelessness through funding and program support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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