Housing

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 957: An Act relative to improve access to rental assistance programs

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 957) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to improve access to rental assistance programs. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to improve access to rental assistance programs, directly advancing affordable housing access for tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 991: An Act creating an interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 991) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to create a interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board to end and prevent homelessness. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates interagency board to end/prevent homelessness via supportive housing, directly advancing affordable housing and homelessness solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 992: An Act to expand housing options through homesharing

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 992) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to expand housing options through homesharing. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly expands housing options through homesharing, increasing affordable housing supply by enabling shared living arrangements without new construction.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 11, 2025

H 1524: An Act restoring the Commonwealth's public housing

This bill (HD 3716) streamlines public housing development and preservation in Massachusetts. It allows housing authorities to use "controlled entities" for construction without standard procurement rules (following federal requirements), provides tax exemptions for income-restricted housing units (with prorated payments for non-exempt portions), and enables authorities to borrow against future capital funds for maintenance. The bill directly affects public housing authorities and residents living in income-restricted units across the Commonwealth. These changes aim to simplify project development, reduce costs, and ensure long-term preservation of affordable housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly restores public housing projects, advancing affordable housing development and state-aided housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3128: An Act relative to improving the efficiency of the state low income housing tax credit

This bill (HD 3715) updates Massachusetts law to clarify who can receive low-income housing tax credits. It replaces the term "owner" with "allocatee" throughout relevant statutes, defining an "allocatee" as either a property owner or a taxpayer committing funds to a qualified housing project. This change directly affects investors and developers who provide capital for affordable housing projects but don't own the property. The key mechanism is simply updating legal definitions to include these funding providers as eligible recipients of tax credits. The bill makes no new policy changes but streamlines the existing program's administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill improves efficiency of low-income housing tax credit, a fiscal tool supporting affordable housing development through tax incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill improves efficiency of low income housing tax credit, a core funding mechanism for affordable housing development and preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 9, 2026

S 2077: An Act relative to tax credits for affordable housing

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2077) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to tax credits for affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits for affordable housing, incentivizing development and aligning with fiscal support for public housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax credits to fund affordable housing development, directly advancing housing accessibility and affordability through revenue incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 1971: An Act creating a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1971) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates graduated deed tax to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing, directly funding a public service program through fiscal means.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates graduated deed excise tax revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing affordability goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3127: An Act providing tax relief for rent-burdened individuals and families

HD 3696 creates a new tax deduction for Massachusetts renters who pay rent for their primary residence and meet income limits. It allows eligible individuals or households to deduct 50% of their rent, capped at $4,100 annually (adjusted yearly for inflation), but only if household income does not exceed 100% of the local area median income (AMGI) defined by HUD. The deduction applies to single filers, heads of household, and married couples filing jointly for tax years beginning January 1, 2022, or later. This policy directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters in Massachusetts who qualify under the income threshold.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for rent-burdened individuals via rental payment tax deduction, directly supporting lower-income tax relief under Budget & Taxes95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax deduction for rental payments to relieve rent burden, directly supporting affordable housing access for low-income renters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3166: An Act authorizing a local affordable housing surcharge

HD 1532 authorizes cities and towns to impose a local surcharge of up to 2% on real estate taxes to fund affordable housing, but only after approval by a two-thirds vote of the local government and voter acceptance via ballot question. The surcharge applies to property taxes (not included in total tax calculations for certain limits) and funds must be deposited into an affordable housing trust. Exemptions include low-income housing, senior housing, commercial properties, and $100,000 per residential parcel. Cities may adjust the rate annually but cannot change it more than once per year, and funds remain dedicated to housing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a local tax surcharge (revenue-generating) for affordable housing funding, directly increasing government tax collection for a specific budget purpose.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes local surcharge to fund affordable housing programs, directly advancing housing affordability through dedicated revenue generation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3260: An Act allowing for a tax credit for rent paid on the personal residence of the taxpayer

This bill creates a state tax credit for Massachusetts renters whose rent exceeds 30% of their gross income. It provides a credit equal to a percentage of the excess rent, based on income: 100% for under $25,000, 75% for $25k-$50k, 50% for $50k-$75k, 25% for $75k-$100k, and a $3,000 maximum for higher earners. The credit applies only to rent paid for a primary residence in Massachusetts, including utilities (capped at HUD's fair market rent plus 25%). The credit takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for rent, offering relief to renters (likely middle/lower income), aligning with tax relief indicators for budget/tax support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax credit for rent payments directly increases affordability for tenants, aligning with housing support indicators like financial assistance for housing costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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