Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3094: An Act relative to incentivizing multi-family housing through redevelopment

This bill creates a program to incentivize multi-family housing redevelopment in rural areas. It allows the Department of Housing and Community Development to certify projects that substantially rehabilitate existing properties (not new construction) to include at least 80% market-rate units, provided they're located in designated rural areas. Municipalities must apply to have areas designated as rural, and projects must demonstrate alignment with local plans and potential to boost residential growth. The department must review certification applications within 90 days, with automatic 20-year approval if they fail to act.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits for rural housing redevelopment projects, directly using fiscal policy to incentivize investment and development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credits for rural housing redevelopment projects to incentivize multi-family housing development, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Historic Preservation

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 768: Resolve creating a special commission on affordable housing insurance

This bill establishes a 10-member special commission to develop rules for insurance companies setting rates on two types of housing: properties with affordability restrictions (like rent-controlled units) and properties where tenants use housing vouchers. The commission, including housing advocates, industry representatives, and agency heads, must create a framework for these rates and report its findings to key legislative committees by December 31, 2026. It directly affects insurance companies and the affordable housing sector by targeting how insurance costs are determined for these specific properties. The bill itself does not change current law but creates a process for potential future policy recommendations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly creates a commission focused on affordable housing insurance, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives through policy study.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 4, 2025

H 1369: An Act to strengthen supportive housing and reduce healthcare costs for low-income seniors

HD 3016 requires Massachusetts to fund supportive care services for low-income seniors aged 55+ living in qualifying rental housing projects. It mandates the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to pay housing sponsors $2,500 annually per MassHealth enrollee residing in projects with at least 50 units, where MassHealth residents are the majority and cluster contracting with homecare agencies is in place. The law also requires annual reports to the legislature tracking the number of Medicaid recipients in these projects and cost savings from the cluster contracting model. This directly affects qualifying senior housing projects and their residents enrolled in MassHealth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to reduce healthcare costs for low-income seniors via supportive housing, directly improving access and affordability per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly strengthens supportive housing for low-income seniors, advancing affordable housing access through legislative action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 8, 2026

H 1279: Resolve creating a special commission on affordable housing insurance

This bill creates a 10-member commission to develop rules for how insurance companies set rates on two types of housing: properties with affordability restrictions (like subsidized units) and properties where tenants use housing vouchers. The commission includes government officials, housing advocates, community development groups, builders, and insurance representatives. It must propose specific legislation to the relevant committees by December 31, 2026, to address potential rate-setting issues affecting these housing types. The bill directly impacts insurance companies, affordable housing providers, and voucher tenants by targeting the insurance pricing framework for these properties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates commission to study insurance rate-setting for affordable housing properties, aiming to prevent cost barriers that hinder affordability and maintenance of such units.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3149: An Act establishing a commission to study reforms to the low-income housing tax credit program

HD 3372 creates a commission to study reforms for the state's low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program. The commission, including housing officials, legislators, and housing experts, will examine how LIHTC funds are administered, explore ways to streamline projects and preserve existing affordable housing, and recommend improvements to increase transparency and impact. It must hold public hearings and submit a report with findings and recommendations to state lawmakers within 12 months. This bill does not change the LIHTC program itself but sets up a process to evaluate potential reforms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to study reforms to low-income housing tax credit program, aiming to strengthen affordable housing funding mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 431: An Act to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth

HD 2049 creates a new real estate licensing board in Massachusetts with specific requirements to combat housing discrimination. It mandates that real estate brokers and salespeople complete mandatory fair housing training (4 hours for new applicants, 4 hours during license renewal) and requires the board to publicly report discrimination complaints and disciplinary actions quarterly. The bill also updates enforcement by extending license suspensions for repeat violations of fair housing laws from 90 to 180 days and requires the board to suspend licenses following final court findings of discrimination. This directly affects licensed real estate professionals in Massachusetts through new training, reporting, and disciplinary requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to end housing discrimination, directly aligning with tenant protection and anti-discrimination policies in housing development.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 961: An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 961) of Brendan P. Crighton and John F. Keenan for legislation to provide upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prevents homelessness through upstream assistance, directly advancing housing stability and affordability for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 962: An Act to promote Yes in My Back Yard

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 962) of Brendan P. Crighton, Manny Cruz, Mike Connolly, Sal N. DiDomenico and others for legislation to promote Yes in My Back Yard. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPromotes YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard), a pro-housing development movement advancing affordable housing supply through increased development90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 2255: An Act facilitating approval of inclusionary zoning for affordable housing

HD 2206 amends Massachusetts law to streamline the approval process for inclusionary zoning ordinances. It defines inclusionary zoning as requiring a municipality-determined percentage of new residential units (in developments of a specified size) to be permanently affordable for households earning below a set percentage of the area median income (using HUD data). The bill allows municipalities to establish these requirements and specifies that the state's Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities may issue guidelines to ensure such zoning doesn't unduly limit housing production. This directly affects municipalities adopting inclusionary zoning policies and developers building qualifying residential projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFacilitates inclusionary zoning adoption, requiring affordable units in new developments to increase housing supply and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 17, 2025

H 1572: An Act to promote Yes in My Back Yard

This bill allows municipalities to permit duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and townhomes (up to five units total) on residential lots without zoning restrictions, as long as reasonable regulations like site plans and setbacks don't make development infeasible. It also eliminates minimum parking requirements for new residential projects and establishes streamlined approval for "Missing-Middle Housing Subdivisions" (smaller residential lots, max 10,000 sq ft each). The bill directly affects homeowners, developers, and municipalities by expanding housing options on existing residential properties. Key provisions require local zoning to allow these housing types "as of right" and create standardized subdivision guidelines for smaller lots. The changes apply to areas with municipal water/sewer systems and take effect 365 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to increase housing development (YIMBY principle), directly advancing affordable housing supply through legislative action.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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