Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4067: An Act relative to senior and non-elderly disabled housing

This bill creates a 15-member advisory commission to study safety protocols and best practices in state-subsidized housing for seniors and non-elderly disabled residents. The commission will include members appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, and housing/disability advocacy groups. It does not change existing housing laws or funding but mandates a 45-day study to inform future policy. The committee's findings will directly inform state housing practices affecting vulnerable residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates commission to study safety/best practices in state-subsidized housing for vulnerable seniors/disabled residents, aiming to improve future housing policies for affordable housing users.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3813: An Act relative to the use of credit reporting for rent-subsidized tenants

HD 3813 prohibits landlords from using credit reports for tenant screening or requiring credit-related questions for tenants receiving government rent subsidies (like Section 8 vouchers). It directly affects subsidized tenants and landlords, banning credit checks unless required by federal/state law. Key provisions require landlords to obtain separate written consent for any credit report use, disclose reasons for adverse actions, allow tenants to dispute report inaccuracies, and cover all associated costs. The law also prohibits retaliation against tenants who exercise these rights or report violations. This bill takes effect 90 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits credit checks for subsidized tenants, protecting tenant rights and reducing barriers to affordable housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3800: An Act establishing the Massachusetts rental assistance and financial stability program

This bill establishes Massachusetts' Rental Assistance and Financial Stability Program to support low-income renters receiving government housing aid (like vouchers or HomeBASE). It requires housing centers to help participants manage finances, set budgets, and make direct rent/utility payments through dedicated accounts, while connecting them to healthcare, food programs, and financial counseling. The program includes an online platform for account management and mandates eviction court referrals for eligible tenants. Agencies must track outcomes and report annually to lawmakers, with full implementation required by September 2026. The program directly affects households at risk of eviction who receive state rental assistance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes rental assistance program for low-income renters, mandates financial management support, direct rent payments, and eviction court referrals to strengthen tenant stability and housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3855: An Act updating and expanding the renter's income tax deduction

HD 3855 increases the maximum renter's income tax deduction from $3,000 to $6,000 for Massachusetts residents. It also creates a new tax credit for renters with adjusted gross income under $50,000, calculated as 5% of 50% of rent paid above $12,000 annually. This credit is capped at $200 for single filers, married couples, or heads of household. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income renters who pay rent in Massachusetts for their primary residence.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for low-to-moderate income renters via increased deductions and new credit, directly supporting fiscal relief for targeted group.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax deductions and creates credit for low-income renters, directly lowering housing costs and strengthening affordable housing access for primary residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4213: An Act relative to rental credits

HD 4213 allows Massachusetts cities and towns to offer property tax credits to landlords who provide reduced rents to specific tenants: seniors aged 65+ or tenants permanently and totally disabled (who qualify for federal benefits like Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or military retirement). The bill enables local governments to set their own eligibility rules, credit amounts, and duration for this tax incentive. It directly affects landlords who rent to eligible seniors or disabled tenants, and local governments that choose to implement the program. The policy change provides a concrete tax benefit for qualifying rental properties without mandating participation by any municipality.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax credits for landlords serving seniors/disabled tenants, providing tax relief through municipal incentives to support vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax incentives for landlords providing reduced rents to seniors/disabled tenants, directly increasing affordable housing access for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Landlords Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2873: An Act relative to the Affordable Homes Act

HD 2873 requires Massachusetts housing authorities using funds from chapter 150 of the 2024 acts to follow specific procurement rules when renovating or repairing public housing properties. For contracts under $10,000, authorities must use "sound business practices" and document vendor details; for larger contracts, they must use competitive bidding or request for proposals with public notice. The bill mandates including prevailing wage requirements, requiring bidders to submit eligibility certificates, and specifying evaluation criteria in writing. These rules apply directly to housing authorities managing properties funded by the designated capital allocation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates fair procurement rules for public housing renovations using housing funds, ensuring quality maintenance of affordable units through prevailing wage and competitive bidding requirements.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wage requirements for public housing contracts, directly protecting workers' compensation standards in construction.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4305: An Act to change and increase the state current minimum/maximum number required for handicap apartments in rental apartment’s complex, home and hotels including handicap reasonable accommodations modifications and diversity

HD 4305 would increase the required number of accessible units in apartment complexes, hotels, and housing developments across the state. It mandates reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities in public spaces and prohibits discrimination against renters with disabilities - particularly in luxury Boston complexes - based on disability, veteran status, or race. The bill also requires lenders to provide mortgage preapproval support for disabled individuals on disability income to purchase homes in Suffolk County, aiming to improve housing stability. This legislation directly affects renters with disabilities, property developers, and housing lenders in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases accessible housing units, prohibits disability-based discrimination in rentals, and mandates accommodations - directly advancing tenant protections and inclusive housing development.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly prohibits discrimination against renters based on veteran status in housing, protecting veterans' access to accommodations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2869: An Act relative to PILOT agreements on replaced public housing

This bill exempts replacement public housing units from property taxes and special assessments, directly affecting housing authorities and private entities developing new public housing. It requires these entities to pay "payments in lieu of taxes" (PILOT) for the exempt portion, calculated using a formula based on the ratio of replacement unit square footage to total building square footage. The exemption applies only to the specific replacement units and associated common areas, with the PILOT amount determined by the same valuation method used for the housing authority's other properties in the city or town.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts public housing replacement units from property taxes while requiring PILOT payments, supporting public housing development through tax incentives for affordable housing.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts replacement public housing units from property taxes, reducing development costs for affordable housing projects and requiring PILOT payments to maintain funding for public housing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3254: An Act requiring Safe Harbor exceptions to the MBTA Communities Act

This bill amends Massachusetts law to exempt certain communities from specific requirements of the MBTA Communities Act. Communities that already qualify for "safe harbor" status under the state's affordable housing law (M.G.L. c. 40B) will no longer need to meet additional housing requirements under M.G.L. c. 40A, Section 3A. The key change is a direct exemption for these communities from Section 3A’s housing development mandates, streamlining compliance for municipalities already meeting 40B standards. This affects local governments in Massachusetts that have met the safe harbor criteria under the 40B housing law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts communities meeting 40B from redundant housing mandates, streamlining affordable housing compliance without reducing requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3081: An Act ending the criminalization of homelessness

This bill prohibits cities and towns from enforcing fines or other penalties against homeless individuals solely for sleeping, camping, or trespassing on public property. It directly affects people experiencing homelessness, defined as those without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The key provision amends state law to ban local ordinances that criminalize these basic survival activities on public spaces. The bill specifically defines "camping" as using tents, vehicles, or temporary shelters, making it clear that such acts cannot be punished with fines.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly ends criminalization of homelessness (sleeping/camping on public property), directly addressing housing access for vulnerable populations per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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