Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 362: An Act to plan, preserve, and protect

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program allowing cities or towns to apply for participation in a "Tenant’s Opportunity to Purchase" initiative targeting high-need zip codes. It directly affects municipalities meeting three criteria: at least 70% rental units, documented displacement (via evictions/RAPT applications), and high poverty rates. Eligible areas would be selected from up to 15 zip codes, with regulations finalized by December 2025 and applications accepted by June 2026. The program requires a final report detailing recommendations for expansion, continuation, or termination after the pilot ends.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Tenant Opportunity to Purchase program in high-displacement zip codes, directly protecting tenants and preserving affordable housing through municipal pilot initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2977: An Act relative to mobile homes as affordable housing

This bill changes Massachusetts law to automatically classify all mobile homes as "affordable housing" under Chapter 40B of the General Laws. It directly affects mobile home owners, developers, and local municipalities by ensuring mobile homes qualify for the state's affordable housing program without needing separate approval. The key provision removes barriers by requiring towns to allow mobile home developments as part of their affordable housing obligations under Chapter 40B. This policy change simplifies eligibility for mobile homes in affordable housing initiatives without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill automatically classifies mobile homes as affordable housing under Chapter 40B, removing barriers and requiring towns to allow mobile home developments as part of affordable housing obligations, directly increasing housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4306: An Act to reform, dissolve and recreate the housing authorities and end housing choice and benefit racial discrimination

HD 4306 proposes to reform Massachusetts housing authorities by dissolving current agencies and creating new ones to end racial discrimination in housing choices and benefits. The bill requires housing authorities to prioritize and expedite housing for displaced families, the elderly, and people with disabilities - groups currently left homeless due to mismanagement of state and federal rehousing funds. It mandates that housing authorities stop using allocated funds for excessive staff salaries and instead use these resources immediately to rehouse vulnerable residents. The bill aims to ensure taxpayer funds are directed toward ending homelessness, rather than perpetuating systemic neglect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnds racial discrimination in housing, prioritizes vulnerable groups (homeless, elderly, disabled), and redirects funds from excessive salaries to housing programs, directly advancing affordable housing and tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2735: An Act promoting geographic equity in state-funded housing development

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to track and report on whether housing development funding is distributed fairly across different regions. It mandates the Executive Office of Housing to collect specific data - including housing projects per municipality, unit types, affordability levels, and funding amounts - across all state-funded housing programs from 2025 to 2029. Agencies must submit two reports (in 2028 and 2035) detailing geographic equity, including per capita data and funding breakdowns, while keeping small projects (under 3 units) confidential. The law directly affects state housing agencies and quasi-public entities managing housing funds, ensuring transparency in how resources reach communities statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates tracking housing funding distribution for geographic equity, promoting fiscal accountability in state spending under Budget & Taxes.80% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tracking and reporting on equitable distribution of state housing development funding across regions to ensure geographic fairness in housing access and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2363: An Act enabling local options for tenant protections

This bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to adopt local tenant protections through their own ordinances. Municipalities can choose to implement rent stabilization for multi-family housing (excluding owner-occupant units with ≤3 dwellings and new construction), require "just cause" for evictions (meaning landlords must have valid reasons like nonpayment or lease violations), and establish fair return standards for property owners. It also permits local regulation of tenant fees and creates pathways for income-based housing assistance. The law directly affects tenants and landlords in communities that adopt these provisions, while exempting owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units and housing built within the last 15 years.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables local rent stabilization, 'just cause' evictions, and tenant fee regulations - directly strengthening tenant protections and affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1068: An Act to guarantee a tenant’s first right of refusal

This bill gives tenants in multi-family residential buildings (excluding certain types like single-family homes or shelters) a first right to purchase their property if the owner sells due to foreclosure, short sale, or deed in lieu. To qualify, at least 51% of tenant-occupied units must form a Tenant Association. If the association meets requirements, it gets priority to buy the property before outside buyers, and the property must later be maintained as long-term affordable housing for 30 years through recorded deed restrictions. Municipalities can choose to adopt this local option.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingGuarantees tenants first right to purchase, mandates 30-year affordable housing maintenance, directly strengthening tenant protections and preserving affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Mortgages Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4083: Resolve to plan, preserve, and protect

This bill creates a pilot program allowing cities and towns to apply for participation in a "tenant opportunity to purchase" initiative, directly affecting qualifying communities with high rental rates (70%+), displacement issues, and poverty. Eligible areas must meet specific criteria related to rental housing density, eviction data, and poverty levels, with up to 15 zip codes selected for the program. The pilot requires the housing office to establish regulations by December 2025, accept applications by June 2026, and operate for five years, ending with a report on program outcomes. It focuses on enabling renters in targeted communities to potentially purchase their homes while addressing displacement concerns through structured local planning.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tenant opportunity to purchase program in high-rent, high-displacement areas, directly strengthening tenant protections and advancing affordable housing access for qualifying communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Homeownership Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2413: An Act relative to stabilizing tenants and small property owners

This bill modifies Massachusetts housing assistance rules to better support tenants facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. It removes a requirement that tenants must have a landlord's "notice to quit" to qualify for housing assistance. The executive office must develop clear criteria for determining homelessness risk, in consultation with housing experts and after seeking public feedback. These changes aim to streamline access to support for vulnerable tenants while maintaining administrative transparency.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes barrier (notice to quit) for housing assistance, streamlines access for tenants at risk of homelessness, and requires clear homelessness criteria to better support vulnerable tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 817: An Act to maintain stable housing for families with pets

This bill (SD 817) protects tenants with pets from eviction during emergencies and standardizes pet policies in housing. Landlords cannot evict tenants for having pets during a state of emergency (for one year after it ends) unless pets cause actual harm, and hotels cannot unreasonably refuse pets during emergencies. It bans housing rules that restrict pets based on breed, size, or appearance, and allows landlords to charge a capped additional rent (max 1% of rent per dog or total for other pets), excluding service animals. These changes directly affect renters, landlords, and housing authorities, aiming to prevent pet-related housing discrimination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects tenants from pet-related eviction during emergencies and bans breed/size restrictions, strengthening tenant rights in housing policy as per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2669: An Act enabling local options for tenant protections

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to allow individual cities and towns to create their own laws regarding tenant protections. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables local cities/towns to create tenant protection laws, strengthening housing tenant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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