Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3372: An Act establishing a commission to study reforms to the low-income housing tax credit program

HD 3372 creates a commission to study reforms for the state's low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program. The commission, including housing officials, legislators, and housing experts, will examine how LIHTC funds are administered, explore ways to streamline projects and preserve existing affordable housing, and recommend improvements to increase transparency and impact. It must hold public hearings and submit a report with findings and recommendations to state lawmakers within 12 months. This bill does not change the LIHTC program itself but sets up a process to evaluate potential reforms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to study LIHTC program reforms, aiming to preserve affordable housing, streamline projects, and increase program impact, directly advancing affordable housing efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1947: An Act relative to funding affordable housing and incentivizing zoning reform

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1434) of Julian Cyr for legislation to fund affordable housing and incentivize zoning reform by imposing a fee upon the transfer of real property interest in any real property situated within the city or town. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes property transfer fee to fund affordable housing, directly increasing government spending on essential housing programs.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds affordable housing via property transfer fees and incentivizes zoning reform to increase housing development, directly advancing housing accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2258: An Act relative to public housing restrictions

HD 2258 requires Massachusetts public housing programs to prioritize applicants eligible for federal assisted housing under 42 U.S.C. section 1436a over applicants who are not federally eligible. It directly affects individuals applying for state-assisted housing in Massachusetts who may not qualify for federal programs. The bill's key provision states that non-federally eligible applicants cannot be given priority or displace federally eligible applicants in the housing selection process. This amendment to Chapter 121B of the General Laws ensures federal eligibility status determines priority for public housing placements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrioritizes federal-assisted housing applicants, strengthening access for low-income tenants by aligning state programs with federal affordability frameworks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1332: An Act relative to public housing restrictions for sex offenders

This bill denies access to Commonwealth-subsidized public housing for individuals convicted of Level 2 or Level 3 sex offenses in Massachusetts. It directly affects people with these specific sex offense convictions who would otherwise qualify for subsidized housing. The law amends housing statutes to require such denial by inserting a new subsection (q) into the relevant chapter. This creates a mandatory restriction on housing eligibility for these individuals in publicly funded housing units. The policy change is limited to housing subsidized by the state, not all public housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts public housing access for sex offenders, limiting eligibility in subsidized housing programs per bill's mandatory denial clause.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2501: An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants

HD 2501 allows cities and towns to adopt local rent stabilization and tenant protection measures. It enables municipalities to limit annual rent increases to the lower of the local Consumer Price Index or 5%, and requires landlords to have "just cause" (like nonpayment, lease violations, or property conversion) to evict tenants. The bill directly affects renters in participating municipalities, excluding owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, new construction (for five years), college dorms, senior facilities, and units subject to public housing regulation. Municipalities must adopt local ordinances within 180 days of acceptance and report annually to the state housing office. The law does not override existing state or federal tenant protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables rent stabilization (5% cap), 'just cause' eviction requirements, and tenant protections directly strengthening tenant rights and affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3756: An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard

HD 3756 (Section 3AA) allows religious organizations (including IRS 501(c)(3) groups or state-recognized religious entities) to build multifamily housing on land they've owned for at least three years without needing special zoning permits or facing unreasonable restrictions. The bill sets density rules: up to 50 units per acre if 20-25% of units are affordable to low/middle-income households (at 60-80% of area median income), with height limits matching existing structures or local zoning. It also exempts qualifying projects from off-street parking requirements if near transit, mandates 15-foot setbacks, and requires compliance with environmental regulations. The law directly affects religious landowners seeking to develop housing, aiming to increase affordable housing options on religious property while maintaining local zoning standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20-25% affordable units (60-80% AMI) for religious org housing development, removes zoning barriers to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3248: An Act to promote Yes in My Back Yard

This bill allows municipalities to permit duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and townhomes (up to five units total) on residential lots without zoning restrictions, as long as reasonable regulations like site plans and setbacks don't make development infeasible. It also eliminates minimum parking requirements for new residential projects and establishes streamlined approval for "Missing-Middle Housing Subdivisions" (smaller residential lots, max 10,000 sq ft each). The bill directly affects homeowners, developers, and municipalities by expanding housing options on existing residential properties. Key provisions require local zoning to allow these housing types "as of right" and create standardized subdivision guidelines for smaller lots. The changes apply to areas with municipal water/sewer systems and take effect 365 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for multi-unit housing, eliminates parking requirements, and streamlines approval for missing-middle housing - directly increasing housing supply and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4035: An Act advancing the Massachusetts social housing program

By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1478) of Mike Connolly relative to the development of mixed income social housing to be administered by the Massachusetts Housing Finance Authority. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly advances mixed-income social housing development via MHFA, aligning with affordable housing funding and program strengthening indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4215: An Act financing housing first programs and housing for all in Massachusetts

By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1480) of Mike Connolly for legislation to authorize supplemental financing of housing first programs, state public housing renovations, and other housing programs and to make related changes in certain laws. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes supplemental financing for housing first programs, public housing renovations, and housing initiatives, directly funding affordable housing efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4123: An Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 216) of Marjorie C. Decker, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Samantha Montaño relative to emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly improves emergency housing assistance for homeless children/families, directly addressing homelessness and advancing housing support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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