Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1085: An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness

HD 1085 requires Massachusetts to provide free state identification cards to homeless adults and unaccompanied homeless youth (under age 24 without stable housing or parental care). The bill mandates that state ID regulations include a fee waiver process and allow alternative proof of residency, such as documentation from homeless shelters, youth services, or state housing/human services agencies. It also requires the state registrar and secretary to create a formal agreement to implement these provisions. This directly affects individuals experiencing homelessness by removing financial and residency barriers to obtaining official identification. The policy change creates a concrete pathway for this population to access essential services requiring ID.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides free ID to homeless individuals, removing barriers to housing access via alternative residency proof from shelters/housing agencies, directly addressing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3730: An Act allowing municipalities to appeal zoning provisions under the MBTA Communities Act

This bill (HD 3730) creates a new appeal process for municipalities facing challenges when implementing housing development rules under the MBTA Communities Act. It requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to establish regulations allowing towns to seek relief if they cannot meet specific infrastructure or environmental requirements, such as water supply, wastewater treatment, transportation capacity, environmental impacts, or historical property protection. The appeal would apply to zoning provisions mandating housing development near transit hubs. This directly affects municipalities seeking to build housing in MBTA communities while addressing practical local constraints.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables municipalities to bypass infrastructure hurdles in housing development, facilitating MBTA Communities Act compliance and increasing housing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 29: An Act authorizing a local affordable housing surcharge

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1930) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation to authorize a local affordable housing surcharge. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local housing surcharge (tax) to fund affordable housing, directly increasing revenue for public service under budget/tax framework.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes local surcharge revenue specifically for affordable housing programs, directly funding initiatives to increase housing access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 846: An Act relative to affordable housing and environmental adaptation dollars

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1973) of James B. Eldridge, James K. Hawkins and Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the imposition of an excise tax to provide for climate change adaptation infrastructure and affordable housing investments in the Commonwealth. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax to fund climate adaptation and affordable housing, directly advancing budget allocation for public services and infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes excise tax to fund climate change adaptation infrastructure, directly supporting environmental protection through dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates excise tax revenue to 'affordable housing investments' as a primary purpose, directly funding this topic area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 36: An Act simplifying inclusionary zoning

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1441) of Lydia Edwards for legislation relative to inclusionary zones in affordable housing. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingSimplifies inclusionary zoning, requiring affordable units in new developments, directly increasing affordable housing supply.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3650: An Act providing for municipal flexibility in state housing mandates

HD 3650 allows Massachusetts municipalities to request exemptions from state housing mandates, such as those in Chapter 40A. A town or city can petition the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities if compliance would cause an undue financial burden, exceed local capacity for housing or infrastructure, or conflict with existing zoning. The bill requires petitioners to provide evidence supporting one of these three specific grounds. The Department of Housing and Community Development must create rules for reviewing these exemption requests, including timelines and approval criteria.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows municipalities to bypass state housing mandates (e.g., Chapter 40A), potentially reducing housing development and weakening enforcement of affordable housing requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3732: An Act relative to extending the requirements of the MBTA Communities Act to all cities and towns

This bill amends the definition of "MBTA community" in Massachusetts law to include every city and town in the Commonwealth. It extends the requirements of the MBTA Communities Act - currently applying to specific municipalities near transit - to all 351 cities and towns. The change is purely definitional, meaning all municipalities would now be subject to the Act's housing and development provisions. The bill does not alter the specific requirements themselves, only who they apply to. (1 sentence summary)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends MBTA housing development requirements to all 351 municipalities, advancing affordable housing access by mandating compliance with existing housing provisions across all cities/towns.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1216: An Act enabling a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1937) of Joanne M. Comerford, Adam Gomez, James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to grant a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates real estate transfer fee (tax) to fund affordable housing, directly increasing revenue for public service funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates local real estate transfer fee to directly fund affordable housing programs, explicitly advancing housing affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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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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