Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1502: An Act relative to home remodeling programs for seniors and people with disabilities

HD 1846 establishes a state program to help seniors and people with disabilities make accessibility modifications to their primary homes, such as installing grab bars or ramps. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities must create and run this program using appropriated funds. The Secretary of that office will develop specific rules and standards for eligibility and the types of modifications covered. This bill directly affects eligible homeowners by providing potential financial assistance for home accessibility improvements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates state-funded program for home accessibility modifications, directly advancing housing accessibility for seniors/disabled, aligning with funding/protecting housing programs.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 4099: An Act to prohibit landlords and brokers from requiring broker's commissions to be paid by a tenant or prospective tenant

This bill prohibits landlords and real estate brokers in Northampton from charging tenants or potential renters for brokerage services like showings, document preparation, or tenant screening. It directly affects residential renters in Northampton by preventing landlords from making tenants pay broker fees as a condition of renting. The law requires landlords or brokers to cover these costs themselves, shifting the financial responsibility from tenants to property owners. Violations are classified as unfair trade practices and may result in city-imposed fines up to $1,000 per violation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits tenant-paid broker commissions, reducing housing costs and protecting tenant rights per bill's explicit language90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 10, 2025

H 1090: An Act establishing a Massachusetts foreclosure prevention program

This 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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingForeclosure prevention protects homeowners from losing property, advancing housing stability and property rights per bill title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 3307: An Act banning hostile architecture targeting unhoused individuals

This bill bans the installation of "hostile architecture" (designs meant to prevent unhoused individuals from sitting or lying on public property at street level) on publicly accessible municipal, state agency, and transportation facilities. It specifically prohibits municipalities, state commissioners, and transportation authorities from using such designs on property they control. The bill defines hostile architecture to exclude elements like skateboard deterrents or vehicle barriers. Violators face a $500 daily fine for each day the ban is violated. The law directly affects public property owners and developers working on publicly accessible spaces.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans hostile architecture preventing unhoused individuals from using public spaces, directly addressing homelessness and supporting unhoused people's access to public areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 18, 2025

H 4296: An Act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to dispose of certain parcels of land in the city of Brockton

This bill authorizes the state to transfer two specific parcels of land in Brockton for community use. The first parcel (to Catholic Charitable Bureau) is for affordable housing (for households earning ≤80% of area median income) and a community services center, sold for $1 with a reversion clause if purposes are violated. The second parcel (to the city of Brockton) is for redevelopment, also sold for $1, with net proceeds split equally between the city and state. Both transfers require competitive bidding if not used by 2030, and include oversight mechanisms like independent appraisals and committee reporting.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes affordable housing development for ≤80% AMI with $1 sale and reversion clause, directly advancing housing access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 2738: An Act addressing rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents

By Mrs. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2738) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kelly A. Dooner, Norman J. Orrall, Bruce E. Tarr, Kelly W. Pease and other members of the General Court for legislation to address rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents, reducing a barrier to affordable housing for this vulnerable group.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 19, 2025

H 3092: An Act reducing CPA recording fees for affordable housing

This bill would eliminate recording fees for subordinate mortgages on affordable housing projects when extended by public or quasi-public agencies (like cities/towns or the Massachusetts Housing Partnership). It directly affects affordable housing developers and public housing entities by removing a cost barrier for these specific mortgage filings. The key change modifies two sections of Massachusetts law to exempt these mortgage filings from standard CPA recording fees. This policy shift aims to reduce administrative costs for affordable housing financing without altering housing eligibility or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces CPA recording fees for affordable housing, providing tax relief to lower costs for housing projects. This supports public services and fiscal responsibility in housing affordability.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly reduces CPA recording fees for affordable housing under community preservation law, lowering costs to advance housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2025

HD 2336: A communication from the Her Excellency the Governor relative to recommendations for additional changes to the Emergency Assistance Shelter System to be included in a supplemental budget pending with the Legislature.

This is not a legislative bill but a gubernatorial communication proposing changes to the Emergency Assistance Shelter System. The Governor recommends modifying eligibility rules to ensure shelter benefits primarily serve Massachusetts residents, including requiring evictions to occur in Massachusetts, verifying residency through documentation (not self-attestation), and limiting "not meant for human habitation" housing eligibility to situations within the state. These changes aim to align the system with its original intent, address operational burdens, and improve fiscal sustainability for Fiscal Year 2026. The proposal would directly affect homeless families seeking shelter by tightening eligibility criteria.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts eligibility for shelter benefits by requiring MA residency verification and limiting housing types, directly limiting access to housing assistance.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill requires documentation for shelter residency verification, limiting access to non-residents and restricting immigrant services through eligibility rules.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4325: A monthly report of the Executive Office of the Trial Court (under Section 15 of Chapter 239 of the General Laws, as amended by Section 64 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023) submitting its report on filings, actions, and dispositions of summary process cases relative to permanent rental protections

HD 4325 requires the Executive Office of the Trial Court to submit a monthly report on eviction-related court cases involving permanent rental protections. The report must detail filings, actions taken, and case outcomes (dispositions) for these specific cases. This bill affects the Trial Court’s administrative reporting process but does not change existing rental protection laws or tenant rights. The requirement aims to provide transparency on how these protections are applied in court proceedings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates monthly reporting on eviction cases involving permanent rental protections, ensuring transparency in enforcement of existing tenant protections without altering laws.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 6, 2025

H 57: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill allocates $425 million from the General Fund for supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, with funds transferable to state agencies and workforce programs. It adds new requirements for the emergency housing assistance program, including mandatory disclosure of prior criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and criminal record checks for applicants. The bill limits eligibility for certain families to six consecutive months of benefits, with hardship waivers available for veterans or those facing domestic violence. It also mandates written notices before benefit termination, multilingual resource handouts for participants, and updated eligibility procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $425M from General Fund for housing services, directly funding public program under budget/tax framework95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $425M for unhoused families' shelter/services, mandates new housing assistance program requirements. Primary intent is funding housing support despite eligibility restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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