Rep. Natalie Higgins

Maddy summaryHD 4155 sets a target for Massachusetts to have distributed energy resources (like rooftop solar and home battery systems) supply at least 20% of the state’s electricity by 2035. It requires electric companies to create virtual power plant programs that coordinate customer-owned energy systems to help manage grid demand, with specific provisions for low-income households and environmental justice communities - including enhanced payments, financial assistance, and targeted outreach. The bill also mandates annual progress reporting, interim targets, and performance-based incentives for companies to improve connections of these systems to the grid. These programs must include consumer protections and ensure equitable access across all communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that libraries and library friends groups may sell used books and other items to raise funds, with all proceeds required to be used directly for library purposes. It directly affects public libraries and affiliated community groups that organize fundraising sales. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly permit these sales while ensuring funds support library operations, removing ambiguity about allowable uses of the revenue. The change is procedural, focusing on defining permissible fundraising activities within existing library funding frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Program requiring creditors to offer supervised conferences before proceeding with foreclosure on primary residence mortgages. It directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure (including those at risk of default) and their creditors, such as banks or mortgage servicers. The key mechanism mandates that creditors engage in good faith efforts to find alternatives to foreclosure - like modified payments - through a conference process facilitated by trained monitors (e.g., retired judges or housing experts). The program requires creditors to notify a state administrator when sending foreclosure notices, provides borrowers 30 days to request a conference, and issues a "certificate of compliance" if creditors follow the process. This creates a structured, pre-foreclosure step to help homeowners retain their homes while reducing creditor losses.

Maddy summaryH 4699 creates a special commission to study safety conditions for single-stair multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) in Massachusetts, with the goal of developing a building code amendment to potentially legalize them. The commission, composed of housing officials, fire safety experts, architects, and community representatives, must produce a report by July 31, 2026, including fire safety measures like sprinklers and emergency exits, and build on existing research. This bill does not change current laws but directs a study to address safety concerns that may enable future code changes. It directly affects future housing development rules and building safety standards, not current building owners or occupants.

Maddy summaryHD 1953 establishes the Alternative Housing Voucher Program to provide rental assistance for low-income individuals with disabilities. It directly affects persons aged 18-62 with disabilities who earn no more than 80% of the area median income (as defined by HUD). The program offers mobile and project-based vouchers covering rent, security deposits, first and last month's rent, and moving expenses, with households paying 25-30% of their income for housing. Voucher amounts are set by the department based on household size, income, location, and disability-related needs, with optional higher payments approved as reasonable accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing to study future shelter and housing demand statewide, focusing on converting congregate shelters (dorm-style) to non-congregate shelters (private rooms) and expanding permanent supportive housing. It mandates a five-year plan to build new housing solutions prioritizing unaccompanied adults experiencing homelessness, especially elderly, disabled, medically complex, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Key provisions include developing unique housing strategies like long-term vouchers, rapid re-housing, and alternative construction models (e.g., modular units, repurposed hotels). The goal is to replace reliance on congregate shelters with adequate, accessible housing capacity matching each municipality’s population ratio.

Maddy summaryHD 1042 strengthens Massachusetts' HomeBASE program by expanding housing assistance for families at risk of eviction or needing housing transitions. It provides up to $50,000 in the first 24 months (renewable for $25,000 annually) to eligible families with children under 21 or pregnant individuals, removing income restrictions after enrollment and allowing applications even after eviction court filings. The bill enables families to combine this assistance with other housing funds like "residential assistance for families in transition" when needed, without duplicating support. It directly affects families facing housing instability, particularly those complying with rehousing plans or facing no-fault eviction reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission to study whether single-stair, multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) should be legalized in Massachusetts. The commission, including fire safety experts, architects, building officials, and housing advocates, will develop building code amendments with safety measures, building on prior research. It allocates $250,000 from the General Fund to fund this study and produce recommendations. The bill itself does not change current laws but authorizes the study to inform future building code changes for this housing type.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a summer energy assistance program in Massachusetts to help low-income residents pay energy bills during extreme heat months (May 15-September 30). It directly affects residents earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state median income (whichever is higher), plus those already enrolled in the existing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program uses LIHEAP’s existing application and verification systems, sets benefit limits based on available funding, and allows up to 10% of funds for administrative costs. It requires coordination with federal LIHEAP rules and must be implemented through new state regulations within six months.

Maddy summaryHD 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.