Housing (Housing Finance)

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 4290: An Act establishing a housing trust fund in the town of Chatham

By Representative Luddy of Orleans and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4290) of Hadley Luddy (by vote of the town) that the town of Chatham be authorized to establish a housing trust fund in said town. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes housing trust fund to fund local housing initiatives, advancing affordable housing programs95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 409: An Act establishing a building permit fee surcharge for affordable housing in the town of Concord

HD 409 allows the Town of Concord to impose a surcharge on building permits for construction projects exceeding a value set by the Select Board. The funds collected must be deposited into Concord's Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing initiatives. This surcharge applies only to projects qualifying as "affordable housing," defined as units rented or sold to households earning no more than 150% of the area median income, with long-term affordability restrictions. The town must approve the surcharge via a Town Meeting vote before implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a targeted surcharge on building permits to fund affordable housing initiatives via a dedicated trust fund, directly advancing fiscal support for housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates permit surcharge funds for affordable housing trust, directly funding initiatives targeting low-income housing (≤150% AMI) with affordability restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Building Codes Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1532: An Act authorizing a local affordable housing surcharge

HD 1532 authorizes cities and towns to impose a local surcharge of up to 2% on real estate taxes to fund affordable housing, but only after approval by a two-thirds vote of the local government and voter acceptance via ballot question. The surcharge applies to property taxes (not included in total tax calculations for certain limits) and funds must be deposited into an affordable housing trust. Exemptions include low-income housing, senior housing, commercial properties, and $100,000 per residential parcel. Cities may adjust the rate annually but cannot change it more than once per year, and funds remain dedicated to housing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a local tax surcharge (up to 2%) on real estate to fund affordable housing, directly advancing public service funding through taxation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes 2% real estate surcharge to fund affordable housing via local trust, with exemptions for low-income housing. Directly funds housing programs per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Property Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3594: An Act reducing CPA recording fees for affordable housing

This bill would eliminate recording fees for subordinate mortgages on affordable housing projects when extended by public or quasi-public agencies (like cities/towns or the Massachusetts Housing Partnership). It directly affects affordable housing developers and public housing entities by removing a cost barrier for these specific mortgage filings. The key change modifies two sections of Massachusetts law to exempt these mortgage filings from standard CPA recording fees. This policy shift aims to reduce administrative costs for affordable housing financing without altering housing eligibility or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEliminates CPA recording fees for affordable housing mortgages, reducing costs for developers and public entities to advance affordable housing projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2735: An Act promoting geographic equity in state-funded housing development

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to track and report on whether housing development funding is distributed fairly across different regions. It mandates the Executive Office of Housing to collect specific data - including housing projects per municipality, unit types, affordability levels, and funding amounts - across all state-funded housing programs from 2025 to 2029. Agencies must submit two reports (in 2028 and 2035) detailing geographic equity, including per capita data and funding breakdowns, while keeping small projects (under 3 units) confidential. The law directly affects state housing agencies and quasi-public entities managing housing funds, ensuring transparency in how resources reach communities statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates tracking housing funding distribution for geographic equity, promoting fiscal accountability in state spending under Budget & Taxes.80% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tracking and reporting on equitable distribution of state housing development funding across regions to ensure geographic fairness in housing access and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3912: An Act promoting access to counsel and housing stability in Massachusetts

HD 3912 creates a state-funded program providing free legal representation to low-income tenants and homeowners facing eviction or housing subsidy termination in Massachusetts. It directly affects eligible individuals who qualify based on income (80% of area median income or less), public assistance status, or inability to pay court costs without hardship. The program, administered by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, will fund designated legal aid organizations to provide "full legal representation" in covered housing cases, including eviction proceedings. These organizations must serve low-income communities, ensure language access, and work with an advisory committee of housing advocates and tenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides free legal counsel to low-income tenants facing eviction, strengthening tenant protections and housing stability through state funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2411: An Act accelerating housing production

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 993) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to accelerate housing production through a combination of incentives, zoning reforms, and financing solutions. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly accelerates housing production through zoning reforms, incentives, and financing, directly advancing housing development and affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1112: An Act enabling a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing

HD 1112 allows Massachusetts cities and towns to implement a real estate transfer fee on property sales to fund affordable housing. The fee, collected by settlement agents during property closings, would be directed to municipal or regional housing trust funds. These funds must be used for acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating, or preserving housing for low- and moderate-income households (as defined by HUD). The bill provides definitions for key terms like "affordable housing purposes" and "settlement agent" to ensure consistent implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new real estate transfer fee (tax) to fund affordable housing programs, directly increasing public spending on housing through dedicated revenue streams.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates local real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing for low/moderate-income households via municipal trust funds, directly advancing housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1479: An Act to address affordable housing

This bill creates a special 3-member commission to review Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency's performance in providing affordable and low-income housing in gateway cities over the past five years. The commission - appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker - will assess the agency's effectiveness and submit recommendations within one year. It directly affects the state housing agency and gateway cities (urban communities with high housing needs) by requiring a formal review of current housing efforts. The bill does not change funding or new housing requirements but mandates this independent evaluation to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly creates commission to review agency's performance in providing affordable housing, aiming to improve effectiveness and address housing needs in gateway cities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 58: An Act relative to tax credits for affordable housing

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2077) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to tax credits for affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits for affordable housing, a form of tax relief supporting public housing programs and lower-income housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax credits to fund affordable housing development, directly advancing the topic through revenue incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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