Housing

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 1441: An Act simplifying inclusionary zoning

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1441) of Lydia Edwards for legislation relative to inclusionary zones in affordable housing. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingSimplifies inclusionary zoning to increase affordable housing supply, directly advancing affordable housing policy as per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 2261: An Act ending the criminalization of homelessness

This bill prohibits cities and towns from enforcing fines or other penalties against homeless individuals solely for sleeping, camping, or trespassing on public property. It directly affects people experiencing homelessness, defined as those without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The key provision amends state law to ban local ordinances that criminalize these basic survival activities on public spaces. The bill specifically defines "camping" as using tents, vehicles, or temporary shelters, making it clear that such acts cannot be punished with fines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds criminal penalties for homelessness, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with reform goals to protect civil rights and reduce systemic inequities in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnds criminalization of homelessness, directly addressing housing access and protections for vulnerable populations per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 22, 2025

H 2284: An Act encouraging public-private partnerships to create affordable housing at public sites

This bill allows cities and towns to partner with private developers or nonprofits to build mixed-use developments on public land, combining affordable housing with municipal facilities like libraries or fire stations. It requires at least 40% of housing units to be affordable for low/moderate-income households (earning ≤80% of Area Median Income per HUD standards) and mandates that cities retain ownership of the municipal facility portion in perpetuity. The bill streamlines construction by exempting projects from standard public procurement rules (while still following specific construction laws). It directly affects municipalities, developers, and low/moderate-income residents seeking affordable housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly promotes public-private partnerships for affordable housing development on municipal sites, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 1514: An Act providing a buffer for manufactured home communities

This bill establishes a 0.2-mile buffer zone around manufactured home communities in Massachusetts MBTA communities. It requires local zoning ordinances to prohibit new multi-family housing developments (like apartment buildings) within this buffer distance. The law directly affects manufactured home communities by limiting nearby development and impacts developers or communities planning new housing projects near these areas. The key mechanism is the mandatory zoning restriction to keep new multi-family housing separate from manufactured home communities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates zoning buffer for manufactured home communities, preserving affordable housing options and preventing displacement in MBTA communities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 1551: An Act relative to the Affordable Homes Act

HD 2873 requires Massachusetts housing authorities using funds from chapter 150 of the 2024 acts to follow specific procurement rules when renovating or repairing public housing properties. For contracts under $10,000, authorities must use "sound business practices" and document vendor details; for larger contracts, they must use competitive bidding or request for proposals with public notice. The bill mandates including prevailing wage requirements, requiring bidders to submit eligibility certificates, and specifying evaluation criteria in writing. These rules apply directly to housing authorities managing properties funded by the designated capital allocation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly targets renovation/repair of housing authority properties under 'Affordable Homes Act,' directly advancing maintenance of existing affordable housing stock.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 1550: An Act relative to PILOT agreements on replaced public housing

This bill exempts replacement public housing units from property taxes and special assessments, directly affecting housing authorities and private entities developing new public housing. It requires these entities to pay "payments in lieu of taxes" (PILOT) for the exempt portion, calculated using a formula based on the ratio of replacement unit square footage to total building square footage. The exemption applies only to the specific replacement units and associated common areas, with the PILOT amount determined by the same valuation method used for the housing authority's other properties in the city or town.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes PILOT agreements for replaced public housing, ensuring funding mechanisms to maintain affordable housing stock during redevelopment. Directly supports affordable housing continuity through financial arrangements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 182: An Act for community housing packages

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 182) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation for community housing packages. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title 'community housing packages' and Community Development focus indicate direct support for housing initiatives without opposition indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1488: An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults

HD 2053 creates a program to prevent homelessness before it occurs by providing financial assistance to low-income households at risk of eviction, foreclosure, utility shut-off, or loss of housing subsidy. It directly helps families, youth, elders, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth with incomes at or below 50% of the area median income (with at least half the funds targeting those at or below 30% AMI). The program covers up to 12 months of past-due rent, future rent, utilities, and broker fees, with direct payments to tenants if landlords refuse to cooperate. An annual report must track applicants, approvals, demographics, and housing outcomes at 6, 12, and 24 months to ensure transparency and program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes housing department to administer homelessness prevention program, directly addressing housing stability through funding and prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homelessness Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 12, 2026

H 1510: An Act relative to provide tenant ownership in government assisted housing

This bill requires housing providers receiving specific government housing credits (under Chapters 62, 63, or 63) to establish ownership diversity goals matching the demographic makeup of their properties. It directly affects these housing entities by mandating they reflect local population diversity in their ownership structures. The key provision is the requirement for diversity goals, with the Department of Housing and Community Development tasked with creating implementation rules. The bill focuses on changing ownership practices for these government-assisted housing providers, not on tenant ownership rights.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly enables tenant ownership in government-assisted housing, strengthening tenant rights and advancing affordable housing access through diversity goals and tax credit requirements.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 982: An Act to plan, preserve, and protect

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program allowing cities or towns to apply for participation in a "Tenant’s Opportunity to Purchase" initiative targeting high-need zip codes. It directly affects municipalities meeting three criteria: at least 70% rental units, documented displacement (via evictions/RAPT applications), and high poverty rates. Eligible areas would be selected from up to 15 zip codes, with regulations finalized by December 2025 and applications accepted by June 2026. The program requires a final report detailing recommendations for expansion, continuation, or termination after the pilot ends.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Anti-Displacement Pilot Program to protect tenants and preserve housing, directly aligning with tenant protections and affordable housing preservation indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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