Housing (Affordable Housing)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 988: An Act relative to creating a permanent affordability homeownership program

SD 988 creates a state program to fund permanently affordable homeownership units for low- and moderate-income buyers (defined as 70-120% of area median income). Administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the program requires units to remain affordable for at least 99 years and limits projects to 1-25 units, including within mixed-use developments. Funds can only support new homeownership units meeting income and affordability criteria. Annual reports will detail funded projects, grant amounts, units created, and affordability levels.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state program funding permanently affordable homeownership for low/moderate-income buyers (70-120% AMI), requiring 99-year affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2661: An Act authorizing the city of Somerville to regulate rent in residential dwelling units

SD 2661 authorizes the city of Somerville to regulate rents in most residential units, setting an annual rent increase cap of 5% (based on the previous year's inflation rate plus 2%). It requires landlords to have "just cause" for evictions, listing specific valid reasons like non-payment or property conversion, and allows the city to mandate relocation payments for certain evictions. The law excludes small owner-occupied homes (3 or fewer units), new construction (within 15 years), certain subsidized housing, and other specific unit types from regulation. This directly affects renters and landlords in Somerville's regulated housing market, excluding the exempt categories listed in the bill.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes 5% annual rent cap and 'just cause' evictions, strengthening tenant protections and affordability in Somerville.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1806: An Act establishing an accessory dwelling unit trust fund

This bill creates a state trust fund to help low- and moderate-income homeowners build secondary housing units (like backyard cottages or basement apartments) on their properties. It targets property owners with incomes up to 110% of the local median income (as defined by federal housing standards). The fund will provide financial assistance for pre-construction costs - such as design fees, permits, utility connections, and site preparation - but only the minimum amount needed to make the project feasible. Administered by the state housing office or designated agencies, the fund will accept state appropriations, private donations, and other sources, with unspent funds remaining in the fund rather than reverting to the general state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state trust fund for housing assistance costs, funding essential program for low-income homeowners through fiscal allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a trust fund to help low/moderate-income homeowners build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), directly increasing affordable housing supply through financial assistance for development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4002: An Act relative to creating a permanent affordability homeownership program

This bill creates a state program to develop permanently affordable homeownership options for low and moderate income buyers in Massachusetts. It requires that new homes funded under the program maintain affordability for at least 99 years and be part of projects with 1-25 housing units. Funds can only support homes in mixed-use developments if they are permanently affordable for households earning 70-120% of the area median income. The program mandates annual reporting on funded projects, including grant amounts, units created, and affordability levels.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state program for permanently affordable homeownership, requiring 99-year affordability and targeting low/moderate income households (70-120% AMI)95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2997: An Act relative to affordable housing and environmental adaptation dollars

This bill modifies fees collected under Chapter 64D to redirect funds into three specific trust funds: the Global Warming Solutions Trust Fund (for climate programs), the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund. It increases certain fees (e.g., from $1.50 to $1.71) and requires that funds deposited into these trusts prioritize investments in environmental justice populations and regional equity. The bill also creates tax credits for low-income home sellers (25% of the fee payment) and for sellers to first-time homebuyers, with eligibility tied to income thresholds and joint tax filing. These changes aim to channel revenue toward housing affordability and climate adaptation efforts while specifying allocation rules for the trust funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects fees into housing/environmental trust funds and provides low-income tax credits, funding essential programs per bill's summary.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects fees to Global Warming Solutions Trust Fund for climate programs and prioritizes environmental justice investments in fund allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRedirects fees to Affordable Housing Trust Fund, increases funding via fee hikes, prioritizes environmental justice populations for housing investments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Environmental Justice Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1275: An Act for Chapter 40B reform and improvement

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingChapter 40B promotes affordable housing development; reforming it aims to improve implementation, indicating support for strengthening housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2410: An Act reforming the housing development incentive program

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 971) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to reforming the housing development incentive program. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReforming housing development incentive program indicates strengthening support for housing construction and affordability through policy changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1952: An Act relative to the creation of a chapter 40B commission

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1023) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to create a chapter 40B commission to investigate and study the issuance of permits and approvals for housing projects. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates commission to study housing permit approvals, aiming to improve development processes and address housing access challenges.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2242: An Act relative to housing in seasonal communities

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 1.5% restaurant meal tax surcharge to fund year-round housing trust, directly advancing public service funding through new tax revenue.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 3 affordable units per 10+ developments, funds housing trust via meal tax, and changes zoning to expand year-round housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3812: An Act providing for retroactive housing compliance under the MBTA Communities Act

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows MBTA communities to count recently built housing units toward compliance, facilitating housing development near transit and meeting state mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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