Housing

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

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 559: An Act ensuring affordability in perpetuity

This bill requires all low or moderate income housing built under a comprehensive permit to remain affordable permanently, rather than for a limited period. It directly affects developers and housing authorities using Chapter 40B's comprehensive permitting process for such projects. The key provision (added as Section 21A) mandates that affordability restrictions apply "in perpetuity" for these units. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates permanent affordability for low/moderate income housing under Chapter 40B, preventing temporary restrictions and ensuring long-term housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1288: An Act enabling a local option empty homes tax on vacant units in residential buildings

This bill allows cities and towns to impose a local tax on vacant residential units in buildings with six or more units that have been unoccupied for 90 consecutive days or newly constructed units not rented within 90 days of occupancy. The tax rate would be 12.5% of the last agreed rental rate or set by the municipality, requiring owners to register vacant units with the local tax office within 30 days. Exemptions apply for units undergoing active redevelopment, during military deployment, after significant medical events, inheritance, or title disputes. It directly affects property owners in qualifying multi-unit buildings, with the tax applying only if a municipality chooses to adopt the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates local tax revenue source for municipalities through vacant property tax, aligning with fiscal management and budgetary generation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax on vacant units incentivizes rental availability, increasing housing supply to support affordability without direct tenant protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Taxes

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1878: An Act relative to CHAMP that will revert back to local residents receiving priority over applicants that have not been screened as emergency applicants

HD 1878 changes Massachusetts' public housing application rules by ending self-certification of emergency status and reinstating priority for local residents over applicants not screened as emergency. Housing authorities must now screen applicants for emergency status instead of allowing self-certification, and local residents will be placed ahead of non-emergency applicants on waitlists. This bill applies to the state's CHAMP system, which manages public housing applications statewide for all local housing authorities. The change reverses a current practice that permitted applicants to self-certify emergency status to gain priority.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReinstates local resident priority and screens emergency status, ensuring fairer public housing access and preventing misuse of emergency applications.90% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1004: An Act promoting housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program

This bill strengthens Massachusetts' HomeBASE program to improve housing stability for families facing eviction or housing transitions. It expands short-term housing benefits to eligible families (those with children under 21 or pregnant individuals) for up to 24 months initially, then 12-month renewals, with no income restrictions after enrollment. Key provisions include allowing applications after court eviction notices are filed, removing requirements to prove "no fault" eviction, and setting funding caps of $30,000 for the first period and $15,000 for renewals. Families can also combine these benefits with other housing assistance programs like residential assistance for families in transition, as long as the support is non-duplicative and needed for housing stability.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens HomeBASE program, expands housing benefits to eligible families, removes eviction barriers - directly advances tenant protections and housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1881: An Act relative to incentivizing multi-family housing through redevelopment

This bill creates a program to incentivize multi-family housing redevelopment in rural areas. It allows the Department of Housing and Community Development to certify projects that substantially rehabilitate existing properties (not new construction) to include at least 80% market-rate units, provided they're located in designated rural areas. Municipalities must apply to have areas designated as rural, and projects must demonstrate alignment with local plans and potential to boost residential growth. The department must review certification applications within 90 days, with automatic 20-year approval if they fail to act.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates program incentivizing multi-family housing redevelopment in rural areas, directly advancing housing development - a core aspect of the topic. Requires 80% market-rate units but focuses on redevelopment (not new construction) to boost ...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Historic Preservation Tags Rural Communities

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 969: An Act relative to the use of credit reporting for rent-subsidized tenants

SD 969 prohibits landlords from using credit reports for tenant screening when applicants or tenants receive government rent subsidies (like Section 8 housing vouchers). It directly affects landlords, property managers, and tenants with such subsidies by banning the use, request, or requirement of credit checks for rental decisions. Key provisions include requiring written consent for any credit check (with specific disclosures), preventing landlords from passing credit check costs to tenants, and banning retaliation against tenants who challenge violations. The law also enforces anti-discrimination protections and makes non-compliance an unfair practice under Chapter 93A.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans credit checks for rent-subsidized tenants (e.g., Section 8), removing barriers to affordable housing access and strengthening tenant protections under subsidy programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1855: An Act relative to tax incentives for building to NetZero Standards

This bill (HD 1855) requires Massachusetts' Department of Energy Resources to analyze the cost impacts of energy regulations on housing affordability. Specifically, it directs the department to assess: (1) the added cost for builders under each regulation compared to no regulation, (2) the total cost burden on housing production, and (3) existing programs that might offset these costs to keep housing prices stable. The department must report these findings to legislative committees by December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new tax incentives or change regulations - it only mandates a study to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly addresses tax incentives for NetZero building standards, promoting renewable energy infrastructure and housing affordability through regulatory cost analysis.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill analyzes energy regulation costs to prevent housing price increases and maintain affordability through offset programs, directly addressing housing cost impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Building Codes Property Taxes

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1252: An Act relative to creating a statutory housing restriction and providing remedies related to statutory housing

This bill establishes ongoing affordability requirements for certain housing units designated as "statutory housing." It requires that when these properties are sold, they must be sold to qualifying households (with income at or below 80% of area median income) at a set "affordable value" - calculated as the original purchase price adjusted for income changes - rather than market rate. The bill creates legal mechanisms to enforce this, including restrictions on selling outside the affordable price and requiring future owners to comply with the same income and occupancy rules. It directly affects current owners of these units, future buyers, and the entities managing the housing restrictions, ensuring long-term affordability.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates ongoing affordability for designated housing units, requiring sale to low-income households (≤80% AMI) at affordable value rather than market rate, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2715: An Act addressing affordable housing

This bill creates a special commission to review Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency's (MHFA) performance on affordable and low-income housing in gateway cities. The commission, consisting of three members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, will assess MHFA's work over the past five years and recommend improvements. The commission must begin its review within 30 days of the bill's effective date and submit a report with recommendations to both legislative chambers within one year. The bill does not change housing programs but establishes a formal process for evaluating MHFA's effectiveness in targeted communities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates commission to review and improve MHFA's affordable housing performance in gateway cities, directly advancing housing program effectiveness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

Track