Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 290: An Act allowing certain minors to consent to supportive services

HD 492 allows minors aged 15 or older who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to consent to supportive services without parental involvement. It defines "mature minors" as those not in a parent's custody, lacking stable housing, and capable of understanding the services' implications. Service providers must obtain written consent from the minor, detailing their age, guardianship status, and living situation, before offering housing assistance, education support, emotional wellbeing resources, or financial stability services. The bill also grants providers immunity from liability (except for gross negligence) when following these rules, and requires the Office of Children, Youth, and Families to create implementing regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables unaccompanied homeless youth (15-18) to consent to shelter/services, directly addressing homelessness - a core housing policy concern.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1796: An Act relative to rent escrow

HD 2254 creates a new rent escrow system in Massachusetts for tenants who withhold rent due to landlord failure to maintain habitable housing. It requires banks to establish accounts payable only with signatures from both the tenant and landlord (or property owner), without additional verification for account setup. Tenants must deposit withheld rent into this escrow account (or court-controlled/attorney-controlled accounts) before withholding rent, and must meet specific conditions including health department inspections and written notice to the landlord. Landlords must fix violations within 15 days (or a reasonable time) after notice, and the escrow funds are paid to the landlord per court order after resolving the dispute. This directly affects tenants and landlords in housing code violation cases involving rent withholding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRegulates rent escrow to protect tenant funds, strengthening tenant rights and financial security per Judiciary bill focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 1184: An Act relative to summary process

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1184) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to summary process and rental assistance. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes 'rental assistance' funding, directly advancing tenant affordability and housing stability through legislative support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3042: An Act establishing a building permit fee surcharge for affordable housing in the town of Concord

HD 409 allows the Town of Concord to impose a surcharge on building permits for construction projects exceeding a value set by the Select Board. The funds collected must be deposited into Concord's Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing initiatives. This surcharge applies only to projects qualifying as "affordable housing," defined as units rented or sold to households earning no more than 150% of the area median income, with long-term affordability restrictions. The town must approve the surcharge via a Town Meeting vote before implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates targeted fee surcharge revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, advancing public service investment through dedicated fiscal mechanism.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes permit fee surcharge specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing affordability goals through dedicated revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Building Codes

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 2089: An Act relative to first-time home buyers savings accounts

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2089) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to first-time home buyers savings accounts. Revenue.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes savings accounts for first-time homebuyers, directly enabling down payment access and advancing affordable housing by reducing entry barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

SD 3318: An Act to establish tenant escrow savings accounts

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to establish tenant escrow savings accounts. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes tenant escrow accounts to protect security deposits, strengthening tenant rights and housing stability under housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 3, 2025

H 3443: An Act relative to the creation of a branch of the Boston Public Library within an affordable housing development in the Dorchester section of the City of Boston

This bill authorizes the creation of a Boston Public Library branch within a Dorchester affordable housing development. It modifies standard public procurement rules for the library's construction, requiring the project to follow specific sections of Chapter 149 (instead of general public contracting laws) and triggering Chapter 30's Section 39M if low-income housing tax credits or similar funding is used. The bill directly affects the Boston Public Library, the housing developer, and residents of the Dorchester development by streamlining contract rules for this specific project. It does not alter broader library services or housing policies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates subsidized affordable housing project with library space, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 22, 2025

H 2348: An Act relative to exclusionary zoning

This bill would authorize Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to regulate exclusionary zoning. It requires the office to define exclusionary zoning, create a process for residents or developers to file complaints about suspected cases, and establish a review mechanism. If the office determines a municipality is using exclusionary zoning, it could take over that municipality's zoning authority for at least four years. After this period, the municipality could petition to regain control of its zoning. The bill directly affects Massachusetts municipalities whose zoning practices are found to exclude lower-income housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRegulates exclusionary zoning to promote inclusive housing development, advancing affordable housing access by removing barriers to diverse housing types.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2295: 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 HousingMandates retroactive compliance with MBTA Communities Act, requiring municipalities to allow housing development near transit, advancing affordable housing supply.92% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2290: An Act providing for municipal flexibility in state housing mandates

HD 3650 allows Massachusetts municipalities to request exemptions from state housing mandates, such as those in Chapter 40A. A town or city can petition the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities if compliance would cause an undue financial burden, exceed local capacity for housing or infrastructure, or conflict with existing zoning. The bill requires petitioners to provide evidence supporting one of these three specific grounds. The Department of Housing and Community Development must create rules for reviewing these exemption requests, including timelines and approval criteria.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows municipalities to petition for exemption from state housing mandates, potentially reducing enforcement of housing development requirements.85% confidence

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