Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2340: An Act repealing section 3A relative to MBTA communities

This bill repeals Section 3A of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, which pertains to MBTA communities. The bill text does not specify what Section 3A previously required or affected, so the direct impact on communities or other entities cannot be determined from the provided text. As a procedural repeal with no additional context about the repealed section's content, this summary is limited to the stated action. No key mechanisms or policy changes beyond the repeal itself are described in the available text.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill repeals provisions of Housing Choice Initiative, directly weakening housing policy framework without supporting language.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 4015: An Act promoting housing stability for older adults across the Commonwealth

This bill expands a short-term housing bridge pilot program to provide interim housing stability for older adults (60+) in Massachusetts who are at risk of eviction due to inability to pay rent. It establishes a steering committee - including housing officials, aging services representatives, homelessness advocates, and older adults with lived experience - to develop and oversee the program’s expansion. The program will ensure participants pay no more than 30% of their income for housing, with performance-based contracts funding service agencies statewide. The committee must file annual reports with the legislature and post them online, including recommendations for statewide implementation by December 31 each year.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands short-term housing bridge pilot for older adults, directly promoting housing stability through program funding and access - advances affordable housing for vulnerable demographic.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 1547: An Act codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program

This bill codifies Massachusetts' Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), providing rental assistance to low-income households. It establishes that households must have incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (with 75% of vouchers reserved for those at or below 30% AMI) to qualify. The program sets subsidy limits at 100-110% of fair market rent, requires biennial unit inspections for habitability, and mandates annual reporting on voucher usage by household demographics and location. It also standardizes a $80 monthly administrative fee per voucher and ensures unspent funds roll over to the next fiscal year.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCodifies Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, which funds housing assistance for tenants and strengthens affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1511: An Act establishing the Massachusetts rental assistance and financial stability program

This bill establishes Massachusetts' Rental Assistance and Financial Stability Program to support low-income renters receiving government housing aid (like vouchers or HomeBASE). It requires housing centers to help participants manage finances, set budgets, and make direct rent/utility payments through dedicated accounts, while connecting them to healthcare, food programs, and financial counseling. The program includes an online platform for account management and mandates eviction court referrals for eligible tenants. Agencies must track outcomes and report annually to lawmakers, with full implementation required by September 2026. The program directly affects households at risk of eviction who receive state rental assistance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes rental assistance program funding, directly advancing affordable housing access per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 4707: An Act allowing movable tiny houses as permanent residential dwellings and accessory dwelling units

This bill allows movable tiny houses (under 400 sq ft, excluding certain features) to be used as permanent primary residences or accessory dwelling units on single-family lots. It requires local towns to establish a registration system through the Registry of Motor Vehicles ($100 fee), with standards for safety, zoning (like septic systems), and building code compliance (with relaxed insulation requirements). After 180 days of residency, tiny houses must have a permanent address, utilities, and pass an inspection for a certificate of occupancy. Local governments can set stricter rules but cannot ban tiny houses outright, and may offer tax incentives for hosting them.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows tiny homes as permanent residences, expanding affordable housing options by enabling low-cost, flexible housing on single-family lots without restricting development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1493: An Act allowing movable tiny houses as permanent residential dwellings and accessory dwelling units

This bill allows movable tiny houses (under 400 sq ft) to be used as permanent primary residences or accessory units on single-family lots in Massachusetts. It creates a new state registration category with a $100 title fee, requires adherence to specific chassis and size standards, and mandates an on-site inspection after 180 days of occupancy to ensure basic utilities and safety. Local cities and towns must permit these units but cannot impose exclusionary design rules, though they may offer tax incentives for hosting them. The policy directly affects homeowners seeking affordable housing options, property owners on single-family lots, and municipal governments responsible for zoning enforcement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits movable tiny houses and ADUs as permanent housing, expanding affordable housing options and development flexibility.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 215: An Act supporting the development of children experiencing homelessness

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 215) of Marjorie C. Decker for legislation to provide services to certain children experiencing homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses homelessness through services for children, directly supporting housing stability for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 22: An Act authorizing the city of Somerville to regulate rent in residential dwelling units

SD 2661 authorizes the city of Somerville to regulate rents in most residential units, setting an annual rent increase cap of 5% (based on the previous year's inflation rate plus 2%). It requires landlords to have "just cause" for evictions, listing specific valid reasons like non-payment or property conversion, and allows the city to mandate relocation payments for certain evictions. The law excludes small owner-occupied homes (3 or fewer units), new construction (within 15 years), certain subsidized housing, and other specific unit types from regulation. This directly affects renters and landlords in Somerville's regulated housing market, excluding the exempt categories listed in the bill.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes Somerville to regulate rent, strengthening tenant protections and promoting housing affordability through rent stabilization measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 7, 2025

H 1526: An Act establishing a rent stabilization commission

HD 391 establishes a 11-member commission to study rent stabilization in Massachusetts, not to implement it. The commission, including tenant advocates, landlords, housing experts, and municipal officials, will examine rent impacts in cities like Boston and Cambridge, review other states' models, and analyze economic effects on tenants and landlords. It will hold public hearings and gather data on rental trends and housing supply. The commission must submit a final report to the governor and legislature by December 2026, outlining findings and recommendations. This bill creates a study process only; it does not enact rent stabilization laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes rent stabilization commission to regulate rent increases, protecting tenants and promoting affordable housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2026

H 3910: An Act authorizing the city of Somerville to enact right to purchase legislation

This bill authorizes the City of Somerville to create local "right to purchase" legislation for residential properties. It directly affects tenants living in covered rental buildings (most residential properties in Somerville) when landlords sell them. The key mechanism requires landlords to notify tenants and the city within 2 business days of accepting a sale offer, giving tenants 15-30 days to decide whether to buy the property at the offered price or delegate their right to a tenant group or city-designated nonprofit. The city may also exercise this right, but existing condo conversion rules (Ordinance 2019-06) take precedence for those properties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes Somerville tenants to purchase their homes when sold, strengthening tenant protections against displacement and supporting affordable housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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