Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4101: An Act authorizing the city of Cambridge to impose a real estate transfer fee

HD 4101 imposes a 2% real estate transfer fee on property sales in Cambridge exceeding $1 million (adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index for Boston-area urban consumers). The fee applies to sellers of high-value properties, including controlling interests in entities holding Cambridge real estate, and is paid at the time of property recording. Revenue collected flows directly into the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing initiatives. Exemptions include transfers involving government entities, properties with long-term affordable housing restrictions, and certain non-monetary transfers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 2% real estate transfer fee on high-value sales to fund affordable housing trust, directly increasing tax revenue for public service.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds affordable housing via 2% transfer fee on high-value sales, directing revenue to Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust Fund per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4362: An Act authorizing the town of Wellfleet to establish a real estate transfer fee

HD 4362 authorizes the Town of Wellfleet to impose a 1% real estate transfer fee on both buyers and sellers for property transfers within the town. The fee is collected at closing, with the first $50,000 annually deposited into the town's Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund and remaining funds directed to the Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust. Key exemptions include first-time homebuyers (with a lien requirement), government transfers, family transfers, charitable organizations, and sales under $100. The bill requires sellers and buyers to pay the fee regardless of private agreements, mandates a certificate of payment for property records, and requires annual reporting on fee collections and housing program funding. This directly affects all residential and commercial property buyers and sellers in Wellfleet.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs real estate transfer fee funds to Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust, explicitly funding affordable housing initiatives through dedicated revenue streams.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3106: An Act relative to senior tax exemptions

HD 3106 proposes expanding Boston's senior homeowner property tax exemption to provide greater relief for residents aged 65 and older. The bill would increase the exemption amount from $500 to $1,500, adjust income limits to 50% of Area Median Income (based on HUD data), and raise asset limits from $28,000/$30,000 to $80,000/$110,000. These changes aim to make the exemption more accessible for seniors on fixed incomes, as current enrollment is far below the estimated eligible population. The bill seeks state legislative approval to modify Boston's local tax rules under Massachusetts' home-rule provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands senior tax exemption by increasing relief amount and adjusting eligibility, providing targeted tax relief for fixed-income seniors per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands property tax exemptions for senior homeowners, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for this group, directly supporting affordable housing policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1225: An Act relative to property tax exemptions for the increased value of a home as a result of certain alterations and improvements to the home

HD 1225 creates a property tax exemption for homeowners who make specific alterations to provide housing for elderly (60+ years) or disabled individuals. The exemption covers up to $500 in annual property taxes on the increased home value from these improvements, but only if the home has no more than three units before the changes and is owner-occupied. Homeowners must annually certify the housing is provided to an eligible person and provide proof to the local tax office. This exemption ends if the housing is no longer occupied by an elderly or disabled person and applies only to improvements made after a city or town adopts the provision.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates targeted property tax exemption ($500 annual cap) for homeowners making accessibility modifications, reducing tax burden for eligible households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax exemption incentivizes housing modifications for elderly/disabled, increasing accessible housing options through financial relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 16, 2025

SD 1081: Communication from her Excellency the Governor relative to additional changes to the Emergency Assistance Shelter System to be included in the supplemental budget pending with the Legislature

Communication from her Excellency the Governor relative to additional changes to the Emergency Assistance Shelter System to be included in the supplemental budget pending with the Legislature

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill proposes changes to Emergency Assistance Shelter System for supplemental budget, addressing homelessness (core housing issue). Governor's communication indicates intent to improve system, aligning with housing support indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SD 2616: An Act relative to providing alternative compliance for multi-family zoning requirement for MBTA communities

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr and Colleen M. Garry for legislation to provide alternative compliance for multi-family zoning requirement for MBTA communities. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables alternative compliance for multi-family zoning in MBTA communities, facilitating housing development and aligning with affordable housing goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 1, 2025

H 310: An Act to establish a commission to review equitable city planning and development

This bill establishes a Commission on Equitable City Planning and Development within the state department. It requires large municipalities (over 100,000 residents) to have their planning agencies periodically assess fair housing access and anti-displacement efforts, then create improvement plans based on those assessments. The commission, composed of department and anti-discrimination agency leaders plus a tenant advocate, oversees this process and can issue necessary rules. The law directly affects city planning departments in major municipalities, mandating concrete steps to address housing discrimination and displacement. It focuses on requiring local assessments and action plans, not on specific housing outcomes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes commission to review equitable city planning/development under housing department, aiming to address disparities in housing access and development policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4278: An Act authorizing the city of Cambridge to impose a real estate transfer fee

HD 4278 authorizes Cambridge to charge a 2% fee on real estate transfers exceeding $1 million, applying to property sales or major ownership changes in Cambridge. The fee is paid by sellers (not buyers) and excludes government transfers, affordable housing properties, and certain corrections to prior transfers. Collected by the Middlesex South registry of deeds at the time of property recording, all fees fund Cambridge's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The exemption threshold automatically adjusts yearly based on Boston-area inflation data.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly funds Cambridge's Affordable Housing Trust Fund through a 2% transfer fee on high-value sales, advancing affordable housing programs as specified in the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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signed · Massachusetts · House Oct 8, 2025

H 4532: An Act relative to certain affordable housing and branch library space in the Dorchester section of the city of Boston

This bill exempts construction and redevelopment activities for affordable housing and a branch library at 555-559 Columbia Road in Dorchester, Boston, from standard public contracting rules (like Chapter 149). Instead, it requires adherence to specific sections of Chapter 149 (26-27H) for procurement, while allowing property acquisition costs to exceed typical limits. The exemption applies if the project uses low-income housing tax credits or federal funding, but standard rules for public works contracts still apply in those cases. The bill also specifies that transferring the project to certain nonprofit or redevelopment entities must follow Chapter 30B rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing construction from standard contracting rules to facilitate development using low-income tax credits, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1983: An Act relative to unlawful practices in the servicing and foreclosure of a subordinate mortgage

This bill (HD 1450) regulates how mortgage servicers handle subordinate mortgages (secondary home loans) in Massachusetts. It prohibits specific practices like failing to send required notices for 12+ months, not providing periodic statements, or demanding payment after the statute of limitations expires. Borrowers gain new rights: creditors must provide detailed notices listing prohibited practices, and borrowers can petition court to stop foreclosure if violations occurred. Courts can then order remedies like waiving fees, halting foreclosure, or deleting incorrect credit reports, with creditors liable for actual damages and attorney fees for violations. All required notices must be in English and Spanish, clearly marked as important.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill targets unlawful foreclosure practices, protecting property rights related to housing through judicial oversight of subordinate mortgage servicing.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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