Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1952: An Act promoting access to counsel and housing stability in Massachusetts

HD 3912 creates a state-funded program providing free legal representation to low-income tenants and homeowners facing eviction or housing subsidy termination in Massachusetts. It directly affects eligible individuals who qualify based on income (80% of area median income or less), public assistance status, or inability to pay court costs without hardship. The program, administered by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, will fund designated legal aid organizations to provide "full legal representation" in covered housing cases, including eviction proceedings. These organizations must serve low-income communities, ensure language access, and work with an advisory committee of housing advocates and tenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes tenant access to legal counsel to prevent evictions and ensure housing stability, directly strengthening tenant protections and housing stability90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 23, 2025

S 958: An Act promoting geographic equity in state-funded housing development

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to track and report on geographic equity in housing funding from 2025-2029. It mandates that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities monitor how state funds for housing development are distributed across all municipalities and counties, including data on housing units, affordability types, accessibility, and funding sources. Reports must detail per capita housing production, unit mixes, and financial assistance amounts, with interim and final reports due in 2028 and 2035. The law directly affects state agencies administering housing funds and local communities receiving housing development assistance. All reports will be made publicly available, excluding unit-level data for projects with fewer than three housing units.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes geographic equity in state-funded housing development, ensuring fair resource allocation to advance affordable housing access across regions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 22, 2025

S 1973: An Act relative to affordable housing and environmental adaptation dollars

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1973) of James B. Eldridge, James K. Hawkins and Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the imposition of an excise tax to provide for climate change adaptation infrastructure and affordable housing investments in the Commonwealth. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax to fund affordable housing and climate adaptation infrastructure, directly allocating new revenue for public programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes excise tax specifically for climate change adaptation infrastructure funding, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated revenue allocation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes excise tax to fund affordable housing investments, directly advancing housing affordability goals per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1558: An Act promoting fair and affordable housing

HD 2978, "An Act promoting fair and affordable housing," prohibits Massachusetts local and state government entities from engaging in discriminatory housing practices. It specifically bans actions that limit housing for families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income, families needing larger units (like those with more than two bedrooms), or based on protected characteristics including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or familial status. The bill allows individuals or the Attorney General to sue for violations within three years, seeking court orders, damages, and legal fees, while clarifying that governments can defend actions by proving a strong, non-discriminatory reason. It directly affects housing decisions by cities, towns, and state agencies regarding permits, funding, and regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title explicitly states 'promoting fair and affordable housing', directly advancing the topic with no opposing language or ambiguity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1529: An Act establishing an affordable housing qualification commission

HD 2259 establishes a special commission to examine recertification practices in Massachusetts' low and moderate income housing programs. The commission will investigate current policies, document management practices, and develop strategies to reduce recertification fraud affecting publicly funded housing. It must include housing officials, legislative members, and housing experts, and submit recommendations by December 31, 2026. The bill directly impacts local housing authorities and the state's publicly financed housing programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to address affordable housing qualifications, advancing policy development in this area90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 1433: An Act relative to zoning for housing production

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1433) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to zoning for multi-family housing production. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill modifies zoning to enable multi-family housing production, directly advancing housing development and affordability through municipal zoning reforms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 1434: An Act relative to funding affordable housing and incentivizing zoning reform

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1434) of Julian Cyr for legislation to fund affordable housing and incentivize zoning reform by imposing a fee upon the transfer of real property interest in any real property situated within the city or town. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes property transfer fee to fund affordable housing, directly increasing state budget allocation for public housing program90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds affordable housing via property transfer fee and incentivizes zoning reform, directly advancing housing development and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 1008: An Act relative to the Massachusetts rental voucher program

Massachusetts Bill SD 1573 establishes the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), providing rental assistance to low-income households (with 75% of vouchers targeted to households earning 30% or less of area median income) to help them afford decent, stable housing. The program sets payment standards at 100-110% of local market rent rates, limits tenant rent payments to 30% of income (with a temporary 40% exception), and requires unit inspections for safety compliance. It mandates annual data collection on voucher usage, including household demographics and location, to be reported to state legislators. The bill also sets a minimum $80 monthly administrative fee per voucher and ensures unspent funds carry over to the next fiscal year.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Massachusetts rental voucher program to increase affordable housing access and tenant assistance under housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1559: An Act to maintain stable housing for families with pets

HD 1706 prevents landlords from evicting tenants solely due to having a pet during a state of emergency (unless the pet causes harm), and bans breed-based restrictions in housing rules, condo bylaws, and tenant screening. It limits additional rent for common household pets to 1% of monthly rent per dog or cumulatively for other pets, while exempting service animals. The bill also prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums based on dog breed, except for designated dangerous dogs. These changes apply to residential landlords, housing authorities, and insurers, aiming to reduce pet-related housing barriers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenant rights by preventing housing discrimination against families with pets, ensuring stable housing access for pet-owning tenants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 1570: An Act to promote access to housing and improve educational outcomes

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to address student homelessness in Massachusetts, targeting five communities (prioritizing Gateway Cities) to achieve "functional zero" homelessness within five years. It provides participating communities with housing vouchers covering 10% of homeless students' housing needs, $500,000 annually for program infrastructure, and resources tied to annual progress goals. Communities must coordinate housing, school, and local agency efforts, share data, and commit to annual housing targets for homeless students and families. A dedicated $500,000 annual fund supports the initiative, with implementation through community-based organizations and shared best practices.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes pilot program to promote housing access, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives through funding and program development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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