Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2590: An Act further protecting tenants

This bill amends Chapter 239 of the General Laws by adding clear definitions for key terms used in tenant protection laws. It defines "Tenant" as anyone occupying property for money or services (written or verbal), "Subtenant" as someone renting from a tenant, and "Consideration" as money or services provided under any agreement. These definitions directly affect tenants, subtenants, and landlords operating under Chapter 239. The bill clarifies the legal language to ensure consistent application of existing tenant protections, without introducing new requirements or penalties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies definitions to strengthen tenant protection laws under Chapter 239, directly advancing tenant rights in housing policy85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3060: An Act to provide homeowners with fair insurance premiums

This bill (HD 3060) prohibits insurance companies from increasing a homeowner's policy premium after a claim involving fire, theft, storm, or water damage if the homeowner was not at fault for the incident. It directly affects homeowners who have experienced such claims without being responsible. The key provision amends state law to explicitly state that insurers cannot adjust premiums based on these specific claim types when the insured is not at fault. The change aims to prevent unfair premium hikes for homeowners who did not cause the damage. This is a concrete policy change affecting how insurers calculate premiums for certain covered events.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects homeowners' property rights by preventing unfair insurance premium increases after non-fault claims, directly aligning with housing topic's property rights component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2939: An Act promoting rental property safety, All Moms Are Heroes

HD 2939 is a draft bill titled "An Act promoting rental property safety, All Moms Are Heroes," currently being developed by House Counsel. The bill's title suggests it aims to address rental property safety standards while including a commemorative element for "All Moms Are Heroes," though no specific provisions are detailed in the provided context. As a draft with no completed text or summary available, the exact mechanisms, affected parties, or policy changes cannot be described. This bill appears to combine safety regulations with a symbolic resolution, but concrete details are unavailable at this stage. A full summary will require the finalized bill text once it is released.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title promotes rental property safety, a tenant protection measure directly related to housing policy.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3193: An Act creating a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing

HD 3193 modifies Massachusetts' property transfer tax by creating graduated rates for home sales over $250,000. For sales between $250,000-$500,000, the tax rate increases to 1.1x the existing rate; higher tiers apply for sales exceeding $500,000, $1 million, and $2 million. The bill directly affects sellers of higher-value homes by increasing their tax burden, with all revenue from these higher rates required to fund housing initiatives. Specifically, the tax revenue must be split equally between housing crisis programs and Affordable Housing Act initiatives established under Chapter 150 of the 2024 Acts. (Note: The "existing rate" referenced is not specified in the bill text.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax on high-value home sales to fund affordable housing initiatives, directly allocating revenue to public housing programs per bill mandate.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes graduated tax on high-value home sales to fund housing initiatives, directly advancing affordable housing through dedicated revenue streams.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1809: An Act improving municipal access to general existing housing data

This bill requires the executive office to create a centralized, machine-readable database containing detailed housing data for developments with subsidized units across Massachusetts. It mandates reporting of specific information for both new and existing subsidized housing, including unit counts, income restriction tiers (80%, 50%, 30% of area median income), unit features (bedrooms, square footage), and geocoded locations. Municipalities, state agencies, and regional public entities will gain standardized access to this annual database to inform housing planning and policy. The database must be updated yearly and remain screen-reader compatible, with key changes effective December 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates centralized database for subsidized housing data, enabling better planning and resource allocation for affordable housing programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3299: An Act relative to prohibiting eviction without good cause

HD 3299 would require landlords to have "good cause" (such as nonpayment of rent or lease violations) to evict tenants in most residential properties. It caps annual rent increases at 10% or the local inflation rate (based on the Consumer Price Index), whichever is lower, and defines specific exemptions. Exemptions include small landlords (owning ≤10 units), owner-occupied homes, hospitals, senior housing, student dorms, and properties with income-based affordability requirements. This law applies only in cities or towns that formally adopt it, with additional rent thresholds exempting higher-priced units.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits no-cause evictions and caps rent increases, directly protecting tenants and enhancing housing affordability per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3292: An Act relative to a first-time homebuyer tax credit

This bill creates a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts first-time homebuyers to cover actual closing costs. It directly affects Massachusetts residents who haven't owned a home in the past three years and paid closing costs (like appraisal, attorney, or inspection fees) when purchasing a home. The credit provides money back toward those specific closing costs, refundable even if the buyer owes no state income tax. The policy changes are concrete: it mandates a credit equal to the buyer's documented closing costs, not a fixed dollar amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRefundable tax credit directly provides tax relief to first-time homebuyers (middle-income residents), reducing closing costs burden. Explicit tax policy change aligns with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides refundable tax credit to cover closing costs for first-time homebuyers, reducing financial barriers to affordable homeownership in Massachusetts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Affordable Housing Homeownership

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3716: An Act restoring the Commonwealth's public housing

This bill (HD 3716) streamlines public housing development and preservation in Massachusetts. It allows housing authorities to use "controlled entities" for construction without standard procurement rules (following federal requirements), provides tax exemptions for income-restricted housing units (with prorated payments for non-exempt portions), and enables authorities to borrow against future capital funds for maintenance. The bill directly affects public housing authorities and residents living in income-restricted units across the Commonwealth. These changes aim to simplify project development, reduce costs, and ensure long-term preservation of affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemptions for income-restricted housing units, aligning with tax relief for lower-income housing and funding public housing development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines public housing development, provides tax exemptions for income-restricted units, and enables borrowing for maintenance - directly advancing affordable housing preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3696: An Act providing tax relief for rent-burdened individuals and families

HD 3696 creates a new tax deduction for Massachusetts renters who pay rent for their primary residence and meet income limits. It allows eligible individuals or households to deduct 50% of their rent, capped at $4,100 annually (adjusted yearly for inflation), but only if household income does not exceed 100% of the local area median income (AMGI) defined by HUD. The deduction applies to single filers, heads of household, and married couples filing jointly for tax years beginning January 1, 2022, or later. This policy directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters in Massachusetts who qualify under the income threshold.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides direct tax relief (50% rent deduction) for lower-income renters meeting income limits, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides 50% rent tax deduction (capped at $4,100) for rent-burdened renters meeting income limits, directly reducing housing costs for low-income households and advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Renters

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3694: An Act relative to housing service coordinators

HD 3694 establishes a program for housing service coordinators to assist residents in privately owned state and federally assisted housing. These coordinators help reduce evictions, increase housing stability, and connect residents to education, job training, and other services that promote economic self-sufficiency. Property owners must provide tenants 30 days to meet with a coordinator before filing most eviction notices (unless immediate health/safety threats exist), and the Department of Housing and Community Development must report quarterly on coordinator numbers, locations, and evictions prevented.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates housing service coordinators to reduce evictions, increase housing stability, and require 30-day coordinator meetings before most evictions, directly protecting tenant rights and advancing housing stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConnects residents to job training/services promoting economic self-sufficiency, aligning with employment support indicators while focusing on housing stability.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Tenant Rights Workforce Development

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