Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1480: An Act financing housing first programs and housing for all in Massachusetts

By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1480) of Mike Connolly for legislation to authorize supplemental financing of housing first programs, state public housing renovations, and other housing programs and to make related changes in certain laws. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes supplemental financing for housing first programs, public housing renovations, and housing programs, directly funding affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 995: An Act relative to the use of credit reporting for rent-subsidized tenants

SD 969 prohibits landlords from using credit reports for tenant screening when applicants or tenants receive government rent subsidies (like Section 8 housing vouchers). It directly affects landlords, property managers, and tenants with such subsidies by banning the use, request, or requirement of credit checks for rental decisions. Key provisions include requiring written consent for any credit check (with specific disclosures), preventing landlords from passing credit check costs to tenants, and banning retaliation against tenants who challenge violations. The law also enforces anti-discrimination protections and makes non-compliance an unfair practice under Chapter 93A.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses credit reporting for rent-subsidized tenants (affordable housing), likely restricting barriers to housing access and supporting tenant protections in affordable housing programs.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1564: An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market

HD 2226 prohibits real estate landlords and their agents from using third-party services that algorithmically set rents or coordinate rent increases among landlords. It bans service providers from collecting rental data, analyzing it with algorithms, or recommending pricing terms to landlords, and prevents them from facilitating non-competition agreements between landlords. Violations are treated as unfair competition under existing antitrust laws, allowing tenants to pursue class-action lawsuits in court instead of being forced into arbitration. Successful plaintiffs can recover damages, interest, and legal costs, with the law explicitly invalidating pre-dispute arbitration agreements for these cases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents algorithmic rent fixing, protecting tenants from unfair rent increases in housing market.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates algorithms in housing to prevent consumer exploitation, aligning with tech regulation for protection90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1016: An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1016) of Michael O. Moore, Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish the Preventing Algorithmic Rent Fixing in the Rental Housing Market Act. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents algorithmic rent fixing, protecting tenants from unfair rent increases in rental housing market.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 997: An Act creating an office of tenant protections

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 997) of Adam Gomez for legislation to create an office of tenant protections within the executive office of housing and livable communities. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates dedicated office to strengthen tenant protections, directly advancing tenant rights under housing topic95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 994: An Act prohibiting algorithmic rent setting

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 994) of Cindy F. Friedman and Julian Cyr for legislation to prohibit algorithmic rent setting. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithmic rent setting, strengthening tenant protections against potentially discriminatory or exploitative pricing practices in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 3921: An Act further defining the purposes of the affordable housing trust in the city of Somerville

This bill expands the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust's funding purposes to include two specific areas: (1) housing-related social services like tenant mediation, legal aid, homelessness prevention, and housing counseling, and (2) startup costs for new affordable housing projects. It directly affects Somerville residents, particularly low-income households and vulnerable populations needing housing support services. Crucially, the trust can now fund these services without requiring them to be tied to physical housing units or to increase the city's affordable housing stock. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, clarifying the trust's expanded role in supporting housing stability and access.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill defines purposes of Somerville's affordable housing trust to strengthen its function for housing affordability, aligning with funding and advancing affordable housing goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 18, 2026

H 4318: An Act authorizing the town of Harwich affordable housing trust to provide for the creation of attainable housing

This bill amends Harwich's Affordable Housing Trust Bylaw to define "attainable housing" and clarify the trust's purpose. It specifies that attainable housing includes units for households earning 80% to 200% of the area median income (adjusted for household size), not just low/moderate-income households. The trust can now use funds to create or preserve this type of housing, alongside traditional affordable housing, to benefit a broader range of local residents. The bill focuses on updating definitions rather than creating new programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes Harwich affordable housing trust to create attainable housing, directly advancing affordable housing development through municipal trust mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 18, 2026

H 4378: An Act relative to affordable housing trust fund of the town of West Tisbury

HD 4975 allows the West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust to use its funds for community housing projects targeting households earning up to 150% of Dukes County's median income (as reported by HUD). This specifically expands the income eligibility for trust-funded housing beyond previous limits, though Community Preservation Act funds remain subject to their own income rules. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate-income households in West Tisbury seeking affordable housing through the town's trust fund. It makes no changes to other housing programs or funding sources.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a dedicated trust fund for affordable housing in West Tisbury, directly funding housing initiatives per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 4288: An Act relative to the inclusion of commercial fishermen as a designated vocation for affordable and attainable housing preference in the town of Chatham under Section 32, Seasonal Communities, Subsection (d), of the Affordable Homes Act

This bill allows the Town of Chatham to prioritize commercial fishermen for year-round affordable housing under its existing housing program. It amends the Affordable Homes Act to specifically include commercial fishermen as a designated vocation eligible for housing preference, directly affecting this group within Chatham. The key mechanism permits Chatham to use its designated housing funds - typically allocated for other qualifying groups - to create or preserve housing for commercial fishermen. The policy change is limited to Chatham and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDesignates commercial fishermen for housing preference under Affordable Homes Act, expanding access to affordable housing for a specific group.95% confidence

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