Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 11, 2025

H 1520: An Act to establish an apprenticeship program to ready vacant public housing apartments for occupancy

This bill establishes the Brooke Public Housing Apprenticeship program to train public housing residents in skills needed to prepare vacant apartments for occupancy. It requires the state housing and labor offices to create a training program developed with input from housing authorities, residents, and industry groups, focusing on job skills, placement, and long-term self-sufficiency. The program directly affects public housing residents (by offering training and jobs) and public housing authorities (by providing trained workers to prepare units efficiently). It authorizes labor department grants to fund the apprenticeship program, aiming to speed up reoccupancy while making better use of housing capital funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates apprenticeship program to expedite re-occupancy of vacant state-assisted housing units, directly increasing available affordable housing stock.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 11, 2025

H 1487: An Act relative to low-income housing eligibility for disabled veterans

This bill changes how income is calculated for disabled veterans seeking public housing. It directs housing authorities to exclude veterans' U.S. disability benefits (from 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.) when determining eligibility for low-income housing programs. As a result, disabled veterans receiving these federal benefits will have a lower calculated income, making them more likely to qualify for housing assistance they might otherwise be denied. The policy directly affects disabled veterans applying for publicly assisted housing in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands low-income housing eligibility specifically for disabled veterans, directly advancing affordable housing access for a vulnerable group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands low-income housing eligibility for disabled veterans, directly advancing their access to housing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 2, 2026

S 2002: An Act encouraging home ownership by establishing a first time home buyers savings account

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2002) of Dylan A. Fernandes relative to the establishment of first-time homebuyer savings accounts and providing for an income tax deduction for certain amounts contributed to such accounts. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides income tax deduction for first-time homebuyer savings accounts, offering tax relief to middle-income households per tax policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax-deductible savings accounts for first-time homebuyers, lowering barriers to home ownership and promoting housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1999: An Act ending large investor control of homes in Massachusetts

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1999) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts and create a down payment trust fund. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates down payment trust fund and references revenue, indicating fiscal funding for housing affordability program.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnds large investor control to increase affordability; creates down payment trust fund for housing access.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3121: An Act ending large investor control of homes in Massachusetts

HD 1735 imposes a tax on large real estate investment firms (defined as entities managing $10 million or more in assets) that own more residential properties (1-4 units) than allowed under phased ownership limits. The tax equals $10 million multiplied by the number of excess properties, calculated annually based on a declining percentage of their 2023 holdings over nine years. Revenue from this tax funds a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers purchasing residential properties, administered through the Housing Down Payment Trust Fund. The bill directly affects large investment firms managing significant residential portfolios, requiring them to reduce holdings or pay the tax, while excluding nonprofit organizations and affordable housing from its scope.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes an excise tax on large investors to generate revenue, directly addressing taxation and budget management through new tax revenue streams.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill targets large investors via excise tax to curb control of single-family homes, aligning with tenant protection and affordable housing goals by limiting investor-driven displacement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3029: An Act relative to rental credits

HD 4213 allows Massachusetts cities and towns to offer property tax credits to landlords who provide reduced rents to specific tenants: seniors aged 65+ or tenants permanently and totally disabled (who qualify for federal benefits like Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or military retirement). The bill enables local governments to set their own eligibility rules, credit amounts, and duration for this tax incentive. It directly affects landlords who rent to eligible seniors or disabled tenants, and local governments that choose to implement the program. The policy change provides a concrete tax benefit for qualifying rental properties without mandating participation by any municipality.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRegulates rental property tax credits, a form of tax relief affecting state revenue, aligning with fiscal management and tax policy.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill regulates rental property tax credits, a common mechanism to fund affordable housing programs. Regulating credits typically aims to ensure they support affordable housing, aligning with funding housing programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Property Taxes

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3216: An Act supporting home sales to first-time home buyers

This bill creates a tax credit for sellers of residential properties in Massachusetts who sell to first-time home buyers using the home as their primary residence. Sellers would receive a credit equal to 50% of the profit (capital gain) from the sale, up to a maximum of $7,500 per transaction. The credit applies only to properties priced under $750,000, containing four or fewer dwelling units, and sold to buyers who have never owned a home before. The policy directly affects sellers meeting these criteria by reducing their tax liability on the sale.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits for first-time home buyers, a direct tax relief measure for middle-income households, advancing fiscal policy to support housing affordability.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credits to reduce costs for first-time home buyers, directly advancing affordable housing access through financial incentives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3180: An Act relative to a first-time homebuyer tax credit

This bill creates a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts first-time homebuyers to cover actual closing costs. It directly affects Massachusetts residents who haven't owned a home in the past three years and paid closing costs (like appraisal, attorney, or inspection fees) when purchasing a home. The credit provides money back toward those specific closing costs, refundable even if the buyer owes no state income tax. The policy changes are concrete: it mandates a credit equal to the buyer's documented closing costs, not a fixed dollar amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for first-time homebuyers, reducing tax burden (tax relief for middle-income households). Directly advances tax policy within Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax credit for first-time homebuyers directly increases housing affordability and accessibility, aligning with support indicators for affordable housing funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 6, 2026

H 3193: An Act establishing the Martha’s Vineyard housing bank

HD 3381 establishes a transfer fee on property sales in Dukes County towns (Martha’s Vineyard) to fund year-round affordable housing preservation. The bill requires purchasers to pay a fee of 0.5% to 2% on the portion of a property’s sale price exceeding a set threshold, with rates potentially varying by property type or price. The collected fees will support a regional housing trust fund managed by member towns to maintain properties as permanently affordable for low- and moderate-income households. This directly affects property buyers and sellers in Dukes County, with the fee applying to most real estate transactions to generate dedicated funding for housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishing a housing bank funds affordable housing initiatives, directly aligning with support indicators like funding housing programs.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1005: An Act for Chapter 40B reform and improvement

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1005) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation for Chapter 40B reform and improvement. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReforming Chapter 40B, a Massachusetts affordable housing law, strengthens development incentives and tenant protections per its purpose.92% confidence

Track