Housing

in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 13, 2026

H 5647: Study Order

This bill authorizes the Massachusetts House Committee on Housing to continue meeting during legislative recesses to investigate four specific housing-related bills. The committee is tasked with studying these documents and developing recommendations, including drafting any necessary legislation to implement those findings. It must submit its final report and proposed laws to the Clerk of the House by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes a housing committee to investigate bills and draft legislation, actively advancing the legislative process for housing policies.75% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 24, 2026

H 5661: An Act authorizing the town of Belmont to increase the asset limitation ceiling, income limitation ceiling, and benefit limitation ceiling applicable to seniors applying for tax abatement pursuant to clauses 17D, 17E, and 41C of Section 5 of Chapter 59 of the General Laws

This bill authorizes the town of Belmont to raise the asset, income, and benefit limits for seniors seeking property tax abatement by amounts that exceed the annual cost-of-living adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. The legislation allows the town to catch up on missed inflation adjustments if it had not previously adopted these specific state law provisions when they were first enacted. However, a cap is placed on any single increase so that the resulting limits do not surpass what they would have been had the town accepted and adjusted the clauses annually from their original enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a local town to expand eligibility for senior property tax abatements, directly providing tax relief and advancing fiscal support for vulnerable residents.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes a local increase in limits for senior property tax abatements, which reduces housing costs and supports affordability for seniors.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 20, 2026

H 5554: An Act providing for tenant representation on the Great Barrington Housing Authority board

This bill allows one resident from the town of Sheffield to serve on the Great Barrington Housing Authority board, either as an appointed or elected member. The change modifies existing state housing laws to permit this specific cross-town representation while keeping other board rules intact. It directly affects the composition of the housing authority by expanding the pool of eligible candidates beyond Great Barrington residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tenant representation on a housing authority board, directly strengthening tenant protections and community involvement in housing governance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 6, 2026

H 5552: An Act releasing certain land use restrictions held by the commonwealth in the city of Revere

This bill allows the state of Massachusetts to remove specific land use restrictions on a parcel in Revere, enabling the current owner to develop the property more freely. Under the legislation, the owner must pay the state the full market value of these restrictions, which will be determined by an independent appraisal reviewed by the Inspector General. As a condition of the release, at least 10 percent of any new housing units built on the land must be affordable for households earning up to 80 percent of the area's median income for a period of 20 years. The bill also requires the owner to cover all costs related to the legal and engineering work needed to finalize the land transfer.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 10% of new units be affordable, directly advancing affordable housing goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 8, 2026

H 5560: An Act creating the engaging neighborhoods, organizations, unions, governments and households fund ("The ENOUGH Act")

This bill creates the ENOUGH Fund to support collaborative efforts aimed at reducing poverty in Massachusetts's most distressed neighborhoods. The fund will be administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and can be financed through state appropriations, donations, and interest earnings. It provides grants to place-based partnerships involving schools, local governments, and non-profits to develop comprehensive strategies that address needs such as housing, health, education, and job access. Eligible communities must have high concentrations of low-income residents or children living in poverty to qualify for these grants. The program includes specific funding tracks for partnership development, planning, and long-term implementation to ensure sustained community improvement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a fund to address housing needs in distressed neighborhoods through collaborative partnerships.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 5594: An Act significantly alleviating poverty

This bill mandates that shelters, schools, and correctional facilities provide free menstrual products to individuals who menstruate without stigmatizing them. It also increases cash assistance for low-income families by raising monthly benefit standards to 50 percent of the federal poverty level and adding specific allowances for rent, clothing, and children. Additionally, the legislation introduces a $50 monthly rental allowance and a one-time $500 clothing allowance for eligible children, while expanding transitional aid for pregnant individuals without dependent children. The bill further clarifies that child support payments collected from recipients must be paid directly to the family and outlines specific circumstances under which individuals may be exempt from cooperating with child support enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill introduces a $50 monthly rental allowance and increases cash assistance for low-income families, directly aiding housing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 13, 2026

SD 4041: An Act relative to transit planning and anti-displacement protections

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to transit planning and anti-displacement protections. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title explicitly includes 'anti-displacement protections,' which directly supports tenant rights and affordable housing stability.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill focuses on transit planning and anti-displacement protections, directly advancing public transit infrastructure and policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Zoning Public Transit

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signed · Massachusetts · House Aug 6, 2026

H 5629: An Act enhancing child welfare protections

This bill strengthens child welfare protections by creating a statewide network of community-based services and family resource centers designed to help families avoid entering the child protective system. The legislation requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish these centers, which will offer a wide range of support including mental health care, substance use treatment, housing assistance, and educational services. Key provisions mandate the use of standardized screening tools to assess family needs and the creation of a data system to track service gaps and outcomes while maintaining client privacy. Additionally, the bill defines specific terms such as "chronic absenteeism" and "family requiring assistance" to guide how these resources are allocated to children and parents at risk of legal involvement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates creation of centers offering mental health care and substance use treatment, directly advancing healthcare access and services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates housing assistance as a core service in family resource centers to prevent child welfare system entry.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jul 6, 2026

HD 5824: A monthly report of the Executive Office of the Trial Court (under Section 15(c) of Chapter 239 of the General Laws) submitting its report on filings, actions, and dispositions of summary process cases relative to permanent rental protections

This bill requires the Executive Office of the Trial Court to submit a monthly report detailing the number of summary process cases involving permanent rental protections. The report will track filings, actions, and dispositions of these cases to provide data on how often landlords use eviction proceedings to remove tenants with such protections. By collecting this information regularly, the bill aims to increase transparency regarding the frequency and handling of these specific legal matters. The measure directly affects the trial court's administrative reporting processes and does not alter the underlying laws governing rental protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases transparency on eviction cases involving permanent rental protections, aiding tenant rights and housing stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 3157: An Act relative to zoning for housing production

Senate, July 13, 2026 -- The committee on Municipalities and Regional Government to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1433) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to zoning for multi-family housing production, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3157).

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title and summary explicitly focus on zoning for multi-family housing production, indicating intent to increase housing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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