Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1298: An Act promoting geographic equity in state-funded housing development

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to track and report on geographic equity in housing funding from 2025-2029. It mandates that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities monitor how state funds for housing development are distributed across all municipalities and counties, including data on housing units, affordability types, accessibility, and funding sources. Reports must detail per capita housing production, unit mixes, and financial assistance amounts, with interim and final reports due in 2028 and 2035. The law directly affects state agencies administering housing funds and local communities receiving housing development assistance. All reports will be made publicly available, excluding unit-level data for projects with fewer than three housing units.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates tracking of geographic equity in housing funding distribution to ensure fair access to affordable housing across municipalities, advancing equitable development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2312: An Act to expand housing opportunities through homesharing

This bill establishes a legal framework for "homesharing" in Massachusetts, allowing homeowners (homesharing providers) to rent rooms in their owner-occupied homes to others (homesharers) in exchange for services like housekeeping or meal prep, at below-market rent. It requires written agreements covering rent, shared spaces, service limits (max 7 hours/week, no healthcare), and termination notices, while exempting these arrangements from standard landlord-tenant laws. The bill also creates a Homesharing Opportunity Relief Fund to assist with relocation costs if agreements fail, and mandates minimum insurance coverage ($1 million for providers, $100,000 for homesharers). It directly affects homeowners seeking to share their homes and homesharers providing services for reduced rent.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates legal framework for homesharing at below-market rent, expanding affordable housing access through owner-occupied home sharing while requiring written agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Landlords Renters

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2671: An Act expanding the definition of affordable housing to include manufactured homes

This bill amends Massachusetts' Chapter 40B housing law to include manufactured homes in the definition of "affordable housing." Specifically, it adds that 50% of homes in a manufactured housing community (as defined by law) will count toward a municipality's affordable housing threshold. The bill also removes deed restrictions (legal limits on how housing can be sold or used) from all affordable housing units, including manufactured homes. This change directly affects municipalities required to meet affordable housing quotas and manufactured home communities seeking to qualify for housing programs. The policy change simplifies compliance for municipalities and provides greater flexibility for manufactured home residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands affordable housing definition to include manufactured homes and removes deed restrictions, increasing housing options and development under Chapter 40B.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3068: An Act to expedite multifamily housing construction

HD 3068 requires cities and towns to permit multifamily housing (apartments or condos with >3 units) by right in zoning districts covering at least 1.5% of developable land, with a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre. It also mandates that accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like in-law suites) be permitted by right in all single-family zones without unreasonable restrictions on location or design. The bill streamlines approval for cluster developments (grouped housing) by eliminating the need for standard subdivision plans and requiring planning board review instead. This directly affects local zoning ordinances, developers, and residents seeking more housing options in designated areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires cities to permit multifamily housing and ADUs by right, removing barriers to construction and increasing housing density.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2987: An Act to secure housing for returning citizens

HD 2987 creates a state program to help formerly incarcerated people secure housing. The Department of Housing will coordinate a "reentry and formerly incarcerated persons program" requiring agencies to provide housing assistance before and after release, including financial support like housing vouchers. The bill mandates annual reviews of housing programs to track who benefits (using demographic data) and improve services based on feedback from formerly incarcerated people. It also adds priority preferences for this group in multiple state-funded housing initiatives, including affordable housing projects and public housing developments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for housing assistance (vouchers) and program coordination, directly increasing public service funding for a new state program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates housing program for formerly incarcerated people to reduce recidivism, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation services and reentry support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates housing vouchers and program for formerly incarcerated people, directly advancing housing access for vulnerable group through state-funded assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3032: An Act to promote access to housing and improve educational outcomes

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to address student homelessness in Massachusetts, targeting five communities (prioritizing Gateway Cities) to achieve "functional zero" homelessness within five years. It provides participating communities with housing vouchers covering 10% of homeless students' housing needs, $500,000 annually for program infrastructure, and resources tied to annual progress goals. Communities must coordinate housing, school, and local agency efforts, share data, and commit to annual housing targets for homeless students and families. A dedicated $500,000 annual fund supports the initiative, with implementation through community-based organizations and shared best practices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $500,000 annually for program infrastructure, directly funding a public service initiative targeting homelessness through state budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses student homelessness through housing vouchers and funding to improve school attendance and outcomes, directly expanding educational access for vulnerable students.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides housing vouchers for homeless students and funds to achieve 'functional zero' homelessness, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3107: An Act relative to provide tenant ownership in government assisted housing

This bill requires housing providers receiving specific government housing credits (under Chapters 62, 63, or 63) to establish ownership diversity goals matching the demographic makeup of their properties. It directly affects these housing entities by mandating they reflect local population diversity in their ownership structures. The key provision is the requirement for diversity goals, with the Department of Housing and Community Development tasked with creating implementation rules. The bill focuses on changing ownership practices for these government-assisted housing providers, not on tenant ownership rights.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates diversity goals for tenant ownership in government-assisted housing, strengthening tenant rights and promoting equitable housing access per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homeownership Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3184: An Act incentivizing inclusionary zoning

This bill allows municipalities to adopt inclusionary zoning ordinances requiring new developments to include up to 13% affordable housing units. It directly affects local governments and developers building new residential projects in areas with such ordinances. Key provisions include requiring a density bonus (allowing more units than standard zoning permits) and ensuring the ordinance does not hinder overall housing production. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities may issue guidelines to support implementation, but the bill itself sets the framework for local adoption.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 13% affordable units in new developments via inclusionary zoning, provides density bonuses to encourage housing production, and aligns with affordable housing advancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3252: An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard

HD 3252 allows religious organizations to build multifamily housing on their owned land without facing typical zoning restrictions. The bill specifies that such housing must meet density limits (e.g., up to 30 units per acre with 20% affordable units at ≤80% AMI), height (up to 4 stories/45 feet), setback, and parking requirements, while aligning with existing zoning if stricter. It directly affects religious organizations owning land, removing barriers to developing housing on their property. The bill also states such housing would generally be subject to property tax unless a municipality exempts it, and exempts it from additional development standards beyond state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20% affordable units at ≤80% AMI for religious org housing development, directly advancing affordable housing goals by removing zoning barriers while enforcing affordability requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3334: An Act to promote affordable housing

This bill requires Massachusetts municipalities to create and maintain a 5-year Housing Production Plan to increase affordable housing. It mandates plans include a housing needs assessment, specific annual goals (requiring at least a 0.5% annual increase in subsidized housing units), and implementation strategies like zoning changes or preferred development types. Municipalities must submit these plans to the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval, and can seek certification once they meet their annual housing production target. The plan must address local demographics, infrastructure capacity, and include strategies for creating affordable units across different housing types.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 5-year plans requiring 0.5% annual increase in subsidized housing units to boost affordable housing production.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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