Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 19, 2025

H 313: An Act encouraging smart growth and starter home zoning adoption

By Representative Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 313) of David T. Vieira relative to smart growth and starter home zoning adoption. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill encourages smart growth and starter home zoning adoption, directly advancing affordable housing development through zoning reforms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1509: An Act to promote housing cooperatives

By Representatives Gentile of Sudbury and Hamilton of Methuen, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1509) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Ryan M. Hamilton and others for legislation to promote housing cooperatives. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPromotes housing cooperatives, a model increasing affordable housing options and strengthening tenant ownership rights through collective management.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 31, 2026

H 4783: An Act relative to reaffirming the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa relative to the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly addresses homelessness, a core housing issue, by reaffirming rights of homeless individuals, aligning with housing protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 247: An Act to promote housing cooperatives

This bill establishes a Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives within CEDAC to support cooperative housing ownership, primarily for low-to-moderate income residents. The center will provide education, outreach, research, and grants to expand resident-owned housing, preserve existing cooperative properties, and promote cooperative models to policymakers. It allocates $100 million in fiscal year 2026 for acquiring, rehabilitating, and supporting housing cooperatives through state agencies like the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. The center must annually report on housing cooperative activities and submit recommendations for improving cooperative housing access.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100M for housing cooperatives, a public program supporting low-to-moderate income residents, directly funding a state initiative.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $100M for housing cooperatives targeting low-to-moderate income residents, promoting affordable ownership through grants, rehab, and policy advocacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 292: An Act relative to the state’s requirements for calculating the municipal land area for subsidized housing inventory (SHI)

This bill amends Massachusetts' Chapter 40B housing law to change how municipalities calculate land area for subsidized housing requirements. It excludes five specific land categories from the 1.5% residential/commercial/industrial land threshold: conservation land (M.G.L. c. 61A), agricultural land (c. 61B), farmland with permanent restrictions, private cemeteries, and utility areas (gas lines, etc.). Municipalities must now exclude these lands when determining if they meet the 40B subsidized housing inventory (SHI) requirement. The change directly affects towns and cities subject to Chapter 40B's housing obligations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill amends 40B to exclude non-residential land from calculation, easing municipal compliance for subsidized housing requirements and facilitating more affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 114: An Act establishing housing training program for elected members of municipal boards

SD 114 requires the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to create a mandatory training program for elected or appointed municipal board members who handle land-use decisions. The training covers fair housing law, zoning authority, and municipal land-use laws, developed with input from planning and housing organizations. Members must complete the training within six months of starting their term or every four years thereafter, with membership terminating if they fail to comply. Municipalities may hold annual or biannual trainings to meet this requirement. This bill directly affects local planning boards, zoning commissions, and similar bodies across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates training on fair housing law for land-use decision-makers to prevent discrimination, aligning with anti-discrimination housing protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 307: An Act improving municipal access to general existing housing data

This bill requires the state executive office to create a centralized, accessible database containing detailed housing data for all subsidized housing developments in Massachusetts. It mandates reporting on new and existing developments, including unit counts, income restrictions (at 80%, 50%, and 30% of area median income), unit features (bedrooms, size), and geocoded locations. Municipalities, state agencies, and regional public entities will gain access to this machine-readable database, which must be updated annually. The law repeals outdated provisions and takes effect in 2025, standardizing how housing data is collected and shared.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates centralized database for subsidized housing data (income levels, locations), enabling better oversight and planning for affordable housing initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 527: An Act to ensure senior home safety and security

This bill requires senior housing facilities (developments primarily for residents aged 55+ or with disabilities, operated by housing authorities or publicly-assisted housing) to provide 24/7 security services. Security services must include monitoring for unlawful activity, preventing theft, protecting people/property, and controlling access - excluding law enforcement officers. All facility employees and relevant staff must receive safety training, and the Secretary of Public Safety will create implementing rules with input from housing, elder affairs, and law enforcement groups. The law directly affects senior housing providers by mandating consistent security protocols to protect vulnerable residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires security in senior housing to protect people/property, a tenant safety measure. Does not address affordability but supports tenant protection in a specific housing segment.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires safety training for facility staff, directly improving workplace safety standards for employees in senior housing.90% confidence

Tags Seniors

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 741: An Act providing for tenant agents

HD 741 requires anyone charging a fee to find housing for tenants to be a licensed real estate broker or salesperson. It directly affects unlicensed individuals or companies currently offering tenant-finding services for payment. The bill prohibits unlicensed fee-charging tenant-finding services while allowing licensed brokers to specifically represent tenants in locating and negotiating leases. This changes the licensing requirement for a specific type of housing assistance service, making it mandatory for those charging fees to hold a real estate license.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates licensing for tenant-finding services to prevent unlicensed exploitation, directly strengthening tenant protections in housing search process per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 768: An Act petition for a special law authorizing the city of Boston to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections

This bill authorizes the City of Boston to implement local rent stabilization and eviction protections. It would let Boston set annual rent increase limits (based on inflation plus 6%, capped at 10%) for most rental units, excluding small buildings, hotels, hospitals, and certain subsidized housing. It also requires "just cause" for evictions, prohibiting landlords from removing tenants without valid reasons like non-payment, lease violations, or illegal activity. The policy directly affects Boston renters and landlords in covered properties, aiming to address housing insecurity and prevent displacement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes rent stabilization (inflation+6% cap) and 'just cause' eviction protections, directly strengthening tenant rights and affordability in Boston housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

Track