Housing (Homelessness)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1712: An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness

This bill (SD 1712) creates a process for Massachusetts residents experiencing homelessness or unaccompanied homeless youth under age 24 to obtain a state ID card without fees. It requires the state to establish a fee waiver and allow proof of residency through documentation from homeless shelters, youth services providers, or state human services agencies (like HHS or housing departments). The bill defines "unaccompanied homeless youth" as someone under 24 without a parent/guardian and lacking stable housing. This directly affects vulnerable individuals who face barriers to standard ID requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses homelessness by removing ID barriers, enabling access to housing services and support programs per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2025

H 61: Amendment H.61

This bill allocates $425 million from a special fund to provide supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, primarily affecting families experiencing homelessness and immigrant/refugee populations. It establishes temporary respite sites for eligible families (up to 30 days, extendable under specific conditions) and requires new background checks for emergency housing applicants, including disclosure of serious criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and consent for criminal record checks. The bill also limits emergency housing eligibility to 6 consecutive months for families with children or pregnant women, with exceptions for hardship cases like domestic violence, veterans, or high-risk pregnancies. These provisions aim to streamline housing assistance while adding verification requirements and time limits.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $425 million for supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families, directly funding housing programs to address homelessness and provide housing stability.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllocates $425M for immigrant/refugee supportive services/shelter, explicitly targeting these populations for aid and safety resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Refugees & Asylum

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1186: An Act enhancing security in emergency housing programs

By Ms. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 976) of Kelly A. Dooner for legislation to enhance security in emergency housing programs. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enhances security in emergency housing programs, supporting tenant safety and program effectiveness for vulnerable populations in housing crisis.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 2347: An Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 136) of Adam Gomez for legislation to improve emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly improves emergency housing assistance for homeless children/families, directly addressing homelessness and strengthening support for vulnerable housing needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2594: An Act creating an interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 991) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to create a interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board to end and prevent homelessness. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates interagency board to end homelessness via supportive housing finance, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1085: An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness

HD 1085 requires Massachusetts to provide free state identification cards to homeless adults and unaccompanied homeless youth (under age 24 without stable housing or parental care). The bill mandates that state ID regulations include a fee waiver process and allow alternative proof of residency, such as documentation from homeless shelters, youth services, or state housing/human services agencies. It also requires the state registrar and secretary to create a formal agreement to implement these provisions. This directly affects individuals experiencing homelessness by removing financial and residency barriers to obtaining official identification. The policy change creates a concrete pathway for this population to access essential services requiring ID.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides free ID to homeless individuals, removing barriers to housing access via alternative residency proof from shelters/housing agencies, directly addressing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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signed · Massachusetts · House Feb 28, 2025

H 58: 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 for supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, supplementing existing housing programs. It requires emergency housing applicants to disclose unsealed criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and mandates criminal background checks before program placement. The bill limits eligibility for families with no other children to six consecutive months of benefits, with extensions possible for documented hardships like domestic violence, veteran status, or disabilities. It also requires translated informational handouts about resources and benefit duration for recipients, applying to the emergency housing assistance program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $425M from General Fund for housing services, increasing state spending on essential public support program.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill appropriates $425M for unhoused families' shelter and supportive services, directly funding housing programs addressing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4203: An Act to create an interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board

By Representative Mendes of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1552) of Rita A. Mendes for legislation to create an interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates an interagency board to manage supportive housing finance and strategy, directly advancing affordable housing funding and development through dedicated governance structure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4034: An Act to limit criminalization of the homeless

This bill (HD 4034) limits the criminalization of homelessness in Massachusetts by banning fines for "homeless camping" and preventing housing applications from being denied based on related offenses. It directly affects unhoused individuals who camp on public property due to lack of housing, defined as setting up temporary structures for shelter out of financial necessity. Key provisions include prohibiting cities from imposing fines for homeless camping (Section 4), blocking disclosure of such offenses in housing applications (Sections 1-2), and banning credit reporting of related fines (Section 6). The bill also defines "homeless camping" in Section 37 of Chapter 23B.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans fines for homeless camping and prevents housing denial based on related offenses, reducing criminalization of homelessness - a core criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans fines for homeless camping and blocks housing denials due to related offenses, directly protecting unhoused individuals' access to housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 26, 2025

S 136: An Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 136) of Adam Gomez for legislation to improve emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly improves emergency housing assistance for homeless children/families, directly addressing homelessness under housing topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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