This bill changes how income is calculated for disabled veterans seeking public housing. It directs housing authorities to exclude veterans' U.S. disability benefits (from 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.) when determining eligibility for low-income housing programs. As a result, disabled veterans receiving these federal benefits will have a lower calculated income, making them more likely to qualify for housing assistance they might otherwise be denied. The policy directly affects disabled veterans applying for publicly assisted housing in Massachusetts.
This bill allows cities and towns to partner with private developers or nonprofits to build mixed-use developments on public land, combining affordable housing with municipal facilities like libraries or fire stations. It requires at least 40% of housing units to be affordable for low/moderate-income households (earning ≤80% of Area Median Income per HUD standards) and mandates that cities retain ownership of the municipal facility portion in perpetuity. The bill streamlines construction by exempting projects from standard public procurement rules (while still following specific construction laws). It directly affects municipalities, developers, and low/moderate-income residents seeking affordable housing options.
This bill would eliminate recording fees for subordinate mortgages on affordable housing projects when extended by public or quasi-public agencies (like cities/towns or the Massachusetts Housing Partnership). It directly affects affordable housing developers and public housing entities by removing a cost barrier for these specific mortgage filings. The key change modifies two sections of Massachusetts law to exempt these mortgage filings from standard CPA recording fees. This policy shift aims to reduce administrative costs for affordable housing financing without altering housing eligibility or funding mechanisms.
This bill establishes the Brooke Public Housing Apprenticeship program to train public housing residents in skills needed to prepare vacant apartments for occupancy. It requires the state housing and labor offices to create a training program developed with input from housing authorities, residents, and industry groups, focusing on job skills, placement, and long-term self-sufficiency. The program directly affects public housing residents (by offering training and jobs) and public housing authorities (by providing trained workers to prepare units efficiently). It authorizes labor department grants to fund the apprenticeship program, aiming to speed up reoccupancy while making better use of housing capital funds.
This bill creates the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program to prevent homelessness for low-income households at risk of eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-off. It directly affects families with children under 21, elders, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth earning at or below area median income, with 50% of funds reserved for households earning 30% or less of the area median income. The program provides cash benefits covering past-due rent/mortgage (arrearages) or future housing costs (up to 12 months’ rent), and requires coordination with housing agencies to streamline applications. An annual report must track referrals, applications, demographics, and housing outcomes for legislative review.
This bill creates a 5-year pilot program allowing cities and towns to apply for participation in a "tenant opportunity to purchase" initiative. It directly affects municipalities meeting specific criteria: those with at least 70% rental units, high eviction rates or Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFIT) applications, and high poverty rates. Eligible cities must apply through the Executive Office of Housing by June 2026, with up to 15 zip codes selected to test new regulations developed by the office by December 2025. The program requires annual reporting and will conclude with a final report evaluating its effectiveness for future expansion or termination.
HD 4092 requires Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing to create regulations by January 1, 2024, allowing landlords to apply for rental assistance programs on behalf of their tenants. This directly affects tenants eligible for programs like the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, Alternative Housing Voucher Program, and Rental Assistance for Families in Transition. The key provision mandates that housing authorities and contracted agencies accept these landlord-submitted applications for rental assistance. The bill aims to simplify access to housing support by removing a barrier that previously required tenants to apply directly.
This bill creates the "Housing First and Housing for All Fund" using revenues from a new gross receipts tax on businesses. The fund will directly support unhoused individuals, low-income households, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities by funding rental subsidies, emergency housing, permanent housing programs, and services like mental health care and legal aid for eviction cases. Key provisions include requiring annual reports on fund usage and mandating audits to ensure money is spent on housing prevention and support, not other state expenses. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to expand affordable housing access through dedicated funding, rather than speculative outcomes.
This bill requires Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing to study future shelter and housing demand statewide, focusing on converting congregate shelters (dorm-style) to non-congregate shelters (private rooms) and expanding permanent supportive housing. It mandates a five-year plan to build new housing solutions prioritizing unaccompanied adults experiencing homelessness, especially elderly, disabled, medically complex, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Key provisions include developing unique housing strategies like long-term vouchers, rapid re-housing, and alternative construction models (e.g., modular units, repurposed hotels). The goal is to replace reliance on congregate shelters with adequate, accessible housing capacity matching each municipality’s population ratio.
This bill allows Massachusetts cities with 65,000-150,000 residents to prioritize up to 70% of local residents (those currently living within the city limits) for affordable housing units. It applies to all privately assisted housing and housing subject to inclusionary zoning requirements listed on a municipality's housing inventory. The preference must last for at least 30 years from when a tenant moves in, and the regulations creating this rule must take effect within 60 days of the bill's passage. The policy directly affects these mid-sized cities and their affordable housing residents, aiming to increase local access to housing.
