Housing

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 989: An Act establishing the missing-middle starter home development and home ownership program

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 989) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish the missing-middle starter home development and home ownership program. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes program for missing-middle starter homes, directly increasing affordable housing options through development and ownership initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 12, 2026

H 1574: An Act establishing a first-time home buyers bill of rights

HD 1763 requires real estate agents, brokers, and mortgage brokers in Massachusetts to provide first-time homebuyers with a standardized homebuyers' guide developed by the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) before key steps in the home purchase process. The guide must cover essential topics like home inspections, lead paint disclosure, environmental regulations, mortgage terms, and the roles of agents, attorneys, and associations. Real estate professionals and mortgage brokers who fail to provide the guide face fines of up to $100 per violation. The bill directly affects first-time homebuyers and the real estate/mortgage industry by mandating this information to help buyers make informed decisions. The MHFA must create and publish the guide online, including specific resources about home buying processes and legal disclosures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides homebuyers with agency guide to inform purchasing process, supporting access to housing market85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 978: An Act relative to the HomeBase Program

This bill (SD 625) amends Massachusetts law to require that applicants for the HomeBase housing assistance program must have resided in the Commonwealth for at least one year to qualify. It directly affects individuals seeking housing support through HomeBase, adding a new residency requirement to the existing eligibility criteria. The key provision inserts a specific one-year residency rule into the program's legal definition, changing who can apply. This is a concrete policy change to program eligibility under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDefines eligibility for HomeBase housing program, clarifying access to housing assistance85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1508: An Act repealing the misused and misguided right to shelter law that is unique to Massachusetts

HD 4241 repeals Section 30 of Chapter 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws, which was part of a state law establishing a legal right to shelter. The bill would remove this specific provision from Massachusetts law, ending the state's unique requirement for shelter services under that section. This repeal directly affects Massachusetts state law by eliminating a provision that applied only to the state's legal framework for shelter access. The bill does not create new requirements or alter other aspects of shelter policy.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill explicitly repeals emergency housing assistance program, directly weakening tenant protections and reducing housing support per title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 972: An Act establishing emergency shelter priorities

By Ms. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 972) of Kelly A. Dooner for legislation to establish emergency shelter priorities. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes emergency shelter priorities to address homelessness, directly supporting housing access for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1540: An Act relative to the eligibility of emergency housing assistance

This bill (HD 211) changes eligibility rules for Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program. It explicitly restricts the program to only residents of Massachusetts who are U.S. citizens, removing previous eligibility for non-citizen residents. The key mechanism is an amendment to Chapter 23B of the General Laws, adding a specific requirement that the program "shall be available only to residents... who are citizens of the United States." This directly affects non-citizen residents who previously qualified for emergency housing aid under the program.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses eligibility for emergency housing assistance program, aiming to expand access to housing support for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1579: An Act relative to emergency shelter assistance for commonwealth residents

This bill amends Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program to require that recipients be U.S. citizens. It directly affects non-citizen residents of Massachusetts who previously qualified for emergency shelter assistance under the program. The key provision explicitly states that the program "shall be available only to residents of the commonwealth who are citizens of the United States," overriding any existing laws that might allow non-citizens to receive aid. This change narrows eligibility to U.S. citizens, removing prior access for non-citizen residents who met other program criteria.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides emergency shelter assistance for residents, directly addressing homelessness and supporting housing needs through direct aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 975: An Act establishing residency requirements for emergency housing assistance

By Ms. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 975) of Kelly A. Dooner for legislation to establish residency requirements for emergency housing assistance. Housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEstablishes residency requirements for emergency housing assistance, restricting eligibility for housing support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2022: An Act relative to prohibiting eviction without good cause

HD 3299 would require landlords to have "good cause" (such as nonpayment of rent or lease violations) to evict tenants in most residential properties. It caps annual rent increases at 10% or the local inflation rate (based on the Consumer Price Index), whichever is lower, and defines specific exemptions. Exemptions include small landlords (owning ≤10 units), owner-occupied homes, hospitals, senior housing, student dorms, and properties with income-based affordability requirements. This law applies only in cities or towns that formally adopt it, with additional rent thresholds exempting higher-priced units.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits evictions without good cause, directly strengthening tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1814: An Act to create the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General

This bill creates a new Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. It directly affects tenants in public or subsidized housing by establishing a dedicated office to protect their right to "peaceful enjoyment" of their homes. The office will intervene in legal proceedings to address "hostile environment harassment" (including bullying and mobbing by landlords or communities) and hold landlords accountable. Key provisions define harassment to include non-physical conduct like gossip or isolation, and clarify that psychological harm isn't required to prove a violation. The office will investigate, correct, and pursue accountability for violations of tenants' rights.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates office of tenant advocate to strengthen tenant protections, directly advancing housing rights and tenant safety per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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