HD 1422 would allow all Massachusetts towns and cities to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to incentivize housing projects, specifically targeting residential rehabilitation and commercial building conversions. The bill requires the Economic Assistance and Community Capital (EACC) to designate eligible areas based on criteria like job creation, business growth, or rehabilitating neglected buildings. Municipalities must get EACC approval for TIF agreements before they can take effect, ensuring projects align with state goals of boosting housing supply and economic resilience. This change removes previous restrictions, making TIF available statewide for qualifying housing and commercial conversion projects.
By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 176) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to encourage the adoption of smart growth and starter home zoning districts. Community Development and Small Businesses.
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1005) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation for Chapter 40B reform and improvement. Housing.
By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 989) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish the missing-middle starter home development and home ownership program. Housing.
This bill (SD 2242) creates new requirements for seasonal communities (like coastal towns) to increase year-round housing options. It requires developers building 10+ units to set aside 3 units as affordable housing or pay fees ($7,500-$15,000/unit), funds the "year-round housing trust fund" via a 1.5% restaurant meal tax surcharge, and changes zoning rules to allow smaller year-round housing units. Municipalities must adopt zoning that permits year-round housing as a right and adjust property taxes based on occupancy. These changes directly affect seasonal communities, developers, school districts, and year-round residents seeking affordable housing.
This bill amends Massachusetts housing law to allow MBTA communities to count housing units built within the past three years toward their compliance with the MBTA Communities Act. It requires state housing guidelines to include criteria for considering these recently completed units when determining if a community meets its housing requirements. The change directly affects municipalities located near MBTA transit lines that must comply with state housing mandates. This provision retroactively includes qualifying housing construction completed up to three years before the law's effective date in compliance calculations.
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.
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.
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.
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)
