Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 307: An Act improving municipal access to general existing housing data

This bill requires the state executive office to create a centralized, accessible database containing detailed housing data for all subsidized housing developments in Massachusetts. It mandates reporting on new and existing developments, including unit counts, income restrictions (at 80%, 50%, and 30% of area median income), unit features (bedrooms, size), and geocoded locations. Municipalities, state agencies, and regional public entities will gain access to this machine-readable database, which must be updated annually. The law repeals outdated provisions and takes effect in 2025, standardizing how housing data is collected and shared.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates centralized database for subsidized housing data (income levels, locations), enabling better oversight and planning for affordable housing initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 768: An Act petition for a special law authorizing the city of Boston to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections

This bill authorizes the City of Boston to implement local rent stabilization and eviction protections. It would let Boston set annual rent increase limits (based on inflation plus 6%, capped at 10%) for most rental units, excluding small buildings, hotels, hospitals, and certain subsidized housing. It also requires "just cause" for evictions, prohibiting landlords from removing tenants without valid reasons like non-payment, lease violations, or illegal activity. The policy directly affects Boston renters and landlords in covered properties, aiming to address housing insecurity and prevent displacement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes rent stabilization (inflation+6% cap) and 'just cause' eviction protections, directly strengthening tenant rights and affordability in Boston housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1004: An Act promoting housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program

This bill strengthens Massachusetts' HomeBASE program to improve housing stability for families facing eviction or housing transitions. It expands short-term housing benefits to eligible families (those with children under 21 or pregnant individuals) for up to 24 months initially, then 12-month renewals, with no income restrictions after enrollment. Key provisions include allowing applications after court eviction notices are filed, removing requirements to prove "no fault" eviction, and setting funding caps of $30,000 for the first period and $15,000 for renewals. Families can also combine these benefits with other housing assistance programs like residential assistance for families in transition, as long as the support is non-duplicative and needed for housing stability.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens HomeBASE program, expands housing benefits to eligible families, removes eviction barriers - directly advances tenant protections and housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2939: An Act promoting rental property safety, All Moms Are Heroes

HD 2939 is a draft bill titled "An Act promoting rental property safety, All Moms Are Heroes," currently being developed by House Counsel. The bill's title suggests it aims to address rental property safety standards while including a commemorative element for "All Moms Are Heroes," though no specific provisions are detailed in the provided context. As a draft with no completed text or summary available, the exact mechanisms, affected parties, or policy changes cannot be described. This bill appears to combine safety regulations with a symbolic resolution, but concrete details are unavailable at this stage. A full summary will require the finalized bill text once it is released.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title promotes rental property safety, a tenant protection measure directly related to housing policy.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4305: An Act to change and increase the state current minimum/maximum number required for handicap apartments in rental apartment’s complex, home and hotels including handicap reasonable accommodations modifications and diversity

HD 4305 would increase the required number of accessible units in apartment complexes, hotels, and housing developments across the state. It mandates reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities in public spaces and prohibits discrimination against renters with disabilities - particularly in luxury Boston complexes - based on disability, veteran status, or race. The bill also requires lenders to provide mortgage preapproval support for disabled individuals on disability income to purchase homes in Suffolk County, aiming to improve housing stability. This legislation directly affects renters with disabilities, property developers, and housing lenders in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases accessible housing units, prohibits disability-based discrimination in rentals, and mandates accommodations - directly advancing tenant protections and inclusive housing development.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly prohibits discrimination against renters based on veteran status in housing, protecting veterans' access to accommodations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2025

H 61: Amendment H.61

This bill allocates $425 million from a special fund to provide supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, primarily affecting families experiencing homelessness and immigrant/refugee populations. It establishes temporary respite sites for eligible families (up to 30 days, extendable under specific conditions) and requires new background checks for emergency housing applicants, including disclosure of serious criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and consent for criminal record checks. The bill also limits emergency housing eligibility to 6 consecutive months for families with children or pregnant women, with exceptions for hardship cases like domestic violence, veterans, or high-risk pregnancies. These provisions aim to streamline housing assistance while adding verification requirements and time limits.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $425 million for supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families, directly funding housing programs to address homelessness and provide housing stability.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllocates $425M for immigrant/refugee supportive services/shelter, explicitly targeting these populations for aid and safety resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Refugees & Asylum

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signed · Massachusetts · House Feb 28, 2025

H 58: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates $425 million from the General Fund for supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, supplementing existing housing programs. It requires emergency housing applicants to disclose unsealed criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and mandates criminal background checks before program placement. The bill limits eligibility for families with no other children to six consecutive months of benefits, with extensions possible for documented hardships like domestic violence, veteran status, or disabilities. It also requires translated informational handouts about resources and benefit duration for recipients, applying to the emergency housing assistance program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $425M from General Fund for housing services, increasing state spending on essential public support program.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill appropriates $425M for unhoused families' shelter and supportive services, directly funding housing programs addressing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 955: An Act relative to local public housing authorities

This bill amends a law governing local public housing authorities established under Chapter 121B. It changes restrictions on how certain funds can be used by clarifying that these authorities may now use funds for "extraordinary maintenance, equipment replacement, betterments, and additions" (previously restricted from all maintenance). The change specifically applies to funds designated for these authorities and modifies the existing clause to allow these defined types of spending. This is a technical adjustment to fund usage rules, not a broad policy change.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs community preservation funding to public housing authorities, advancing housing programs per summary and topic focus.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 987: An Act relative to housing developments in small communities

This bill exempts Massachusetts towns with fewer than 30,000 residents from Chapter 40B housing requirements. It requires any proposed 40B housing project in these small towns to gain approval from at least 70% of voters in a town election. Current Chapter 40B projects in qualifying communities would be paused until the legislature acts. The bill directly affects small towns and housing developers seeking to build under Chapter 40B. It changes the process by adding voter approval as a mandatory step for new projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill specifically targets housing developments in small communities (pop <30k), directly advancing housing development policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 971: An Act reforming the housing development incentive program

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 971) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to reforming the housing development incentive program. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reforms housing development incentive program, aiming to advance housing development and likely increase affordable housing options through program improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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