Housing (Renters)

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1489: An Act creating the tenant’s escrow accounts

By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1489) of David F. DeCoste for legislation to establish a savings program to assist rental tenants in the purchase of a home. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tenant savings program to assist home purchases, directly advancing affordable housing access for renters.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 3990: An Act relative to stabilizing tenants and small property owners

By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3990) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and Russell E. Holmes relative to tenants and small property owners. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title explicitly targets 'stabilizing tenants' and 'small property owners,' indicating tenant protection measures directly addressing housing topic with clear intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 7, 2025

H 1477: An Act enabling local options for tenant protections

By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1477) of Mike Connolly and Lindsay N. Sabadosa for legislation to remove the prohibition on rent control and to provide tenant and foreclosure protections. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves prohibition on rent control and provides tenant/foreclosure protections, advancing tenant rights and housing stability per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 984: An Act to further regulate tenant fees in rental housing

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 984) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to regulate junk fees in rental housing. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRegulates tenant fees to prevent excessive charges, strengthening tenant protections in housing as directly stated in bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 3909: An Act authorizing the Provincetown year-round market rate rental housing trust to acquire year-round housing occupancy restrictions

By Representative Luddy of Orleans and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3909) of Hadley Luddy and Julian Cyr (by vote of the town) relative to year-round housing occupancy restriction in the town of Provincetown. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes trust to enforce year-round occupancy restrictions, preventing seasonal rental conversion and supporting stable housing availability in Provincetown.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 4228: An Act providing for rent regulation and control of evictions in manufactured housing parks in the town of Athol

By Representative Whipps of Athol and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4228) of Susannah M. Whipps and Joanne M. Comerford (by vote of the town) that the town of Athol be authorized to regulate rents for the use or occupancy of manufactured housing parks in said town. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes rent regulation and eviction control in manufactured housing parks, strengthening tenant protections and affordable housing access in Athol.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 524: An Act allowing for a tax credit for rent paid on the personal residence of the taxpayer

This bill creates a state tax credit for Massachusetts renters whose rent exceeds 30% of their gross income. It provides a credit equal to a percentage of the excess rent, based on income: 100% for under $25,000, 75% for $25k-$50k, 50% for $50k-$75k, 25% for $75k-$100k, and a $3,000 maximum for higher earners. The credit applies only to rent paid for a primary residence in Massachusetts, including utilities (capped at HUD's fair market rent plus 25%). The credit takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates targeted tax credit for renters with rent exceeding 30% of income, providing relief to low/moderate earners (100% credit for under $25k) aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit for renters exceeding 30% income threshold, directly increasing affordability for low/middle-income tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 836: An Act relative to residential assistance for families in transition (RAFT)

This bill creates the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program to prevent homelessness for low-income households. It provides cash benefits or services to families at or below area median income who face eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-offs within 12 months, without requiring prior legal notices or shut-off warnings. Benefits cover past-due rent/mortgage (up to actual debt) or future payments for up to 12 months' rent, with 50% of funds reserved for households earning ≤30% of area median income. The program specifically serves families with children under 21, elders, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth. The Department of Housing must annually report detailed data on program usage, demographics, and outcomes to state legislative committees.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates RAFT program to prevent homelessness for low-income families facing eviction/foreclosure, provides rent/mortgage assistance, and prioritizes tenant protection without legal notice requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1433: An Act creating the tenant’s escrow accounts

HD 1433 creates "tenant’s escrow accounts" to help rental tenants save for home purchases. Tenants can voluntarily contribute a portion of their rent to these accounts, and landlords may also contribute (with the state matching those contributions). Landlords who contribute can deduct three times the contribution amount from their annual taxable income. The program is administered by the executive office of housing, with funds held in a dedicated "Tenant’s Escrow Fund" that is exempt from certain state financial rules. The bill directly affects renters seeking homeownership and landlords participating in the savings program.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax deduction for landlords (reducing state revenue), aligning with 'oppose' indicators of tax breaks weakening fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tenant escrow accounts with state-matched savings for home purchases, directly advancing affordable housing access through tenant savings and landlord tax incentives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2053: An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults

HD 2053 creates a program to prevent homelessness before it occurs by providing financial assistance to low-income households at risk of eviction, foreclosure, utility shut-off, or loss of housing subsidy. It directly helps families, youth, elders, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth with incomes at or below 50% of the area median income (with at least half the funds targeting those at or below 30% AMI). The program covers up to 12 months of past-due rent, future rent, utilities, and broker fees, with direct payments to tenants if landlords refuse to cooperate. An annual report must track applicants, approvals, demographics, and housing outcomes at 6, 12, and 24 months to ensure transparency and program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents homelessness via financial aid for rent/utilities, targeting low-income households at risk of eviction/foreclosure, directly advancing housing stability and tenant protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters Tenant Rights

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