Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3391: An Act establishing a commission to study housing affordability and density reform

This bill creates a 10-member commission to study Massachusetts housing policies and recommend reforms. The commission will analyze zoning rules (like minimum lot sizes and multi-family bans), investigate exclusionary practices limiting affordable housing, and study successful approaches from other states, using data and AI models. It will report findings and recommendations to key legislative committees within one year, focusing on making housing more affordable and dense through zoning changes and simpler permitting. The commission includes housing experts, local government representatives, home builders, legal scholars, and advocates, but the bill itself does not change laws - only studies potential reforms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly creates commission to study zoning reforms for housing affordability/density, aiming to remove barriers like minimum lot sizes to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1229: An Act creating a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1971) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a graduated deed excise tax to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates graduated deed excise tax revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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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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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1577: An Act relative to municipal housing requirements

This bill modifies Massachusetts municipal zoning rules for housing. It changes the threshold requiring towns to allow more housing units: municipalities where low/moderate income housing (per Chapter 40B) is below 10% of total units must now permit additional housing, removing a previous barrier. The bill also gives towns flexibility on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), allowing them to decide whether owner occupancy is required and how many extra parking spaces are needed for ADUs. These changes directly affect towns below the 10% housing threshold and their zoning regulations for new housing projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill lowers threshold for mandatory housing inclusion (below 10% low/moderate income units) and removes barriers to ADUs, directly increasing housing availability and affordability per legislative intent.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 955: An Act relative to local public housing authorities

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 955) of Michael D. Brady for legislation relative to the use of community preservation funding by local public housing authorities. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs community preservation funding to public housing authorities, advancing housing programs per summary and topic focus.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4767: An Act relative to Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the town of Edgartown

This bill allows Edgartown's Affordable Housing Trust to use funds for community housing projects targeting households earning up to 180% of Dukes County's median household income (as reported by HUD). It directly affects low-to-moderate-income residents in Edgartown who qualify under this income threshold. The key provision expands the trust's spending flexibility for general housing funds, while explicitly stating that Community Preservation Act funds must still follow their separate income limits. The change clarifies how existing trust resources can be applied to support more households in affordable housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands affordable housing trust fund usage for low-to-moderate-income households (up to 180% AMI), directly funding housing projects targeting qualifying residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 987: An Act relative to housing developments in small communities

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 987) of Ryan C. Fattman relative to housing developments in communities with a population less than 30,000 persons. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill specifically targets housing developments in small communities (pop <30k), directly advancing housing development policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 971: An Act reforming the housing development incentive program

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 971) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to reforming the housing development incentive program. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reforms housing development incentive program, aiming to advance housing development and likely increase affordable housing options through program improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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