Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 17, 2025

H 335: An Act to promote equity among lessors

By Representatives Chan of Quincy and Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 335) of Tackey Chan, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to require that real estate brokers fees be paid by lessors. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingShifts real estate broker fees from tenants to landlords, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5191: An Act establishing a real estate transfer fee upon the transfer of property in the town of Arlington

HD 5191 establishes a real estate transfer fee for property sales in Arlington, applicable to transactions exceeding 50-150% of the state median home price. The fee, ranging from 0.05% to 2% of the sale price, would be paid by buyers, sellers, or both (determined by town meeting) and collected for the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The bill includes exemptions for gifts between family members, government transfers, affordable housing units, and foreclosures, among others. Specific fee rates and thresholds will be set by Arlington's town meeting following select board recommendations. All revenue must fund affordable housing programs, with annual reports tracking fund usage and impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a real estate transfer fee (0.05%-2%) to fund the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, directly allocating tax revenue to support housing affordability programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund via transfer fees on property sales, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1807: An Act relative to foreclosure mediation

By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1807) of Kristin E. Kassner relative to foreclosure mediation. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingForeclosure mediation prevents home loss, protecting housing stability and property rights per bill's focus on foreclosure process.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 6, 2026

H 4703: An Act authorizing the town of Truro to impose a 0.5% real estate transfer fee

By Representative Luddy of Orleans and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4703) of Hadley Luddy (by vote of the town) that the town of Truro be authorized to impose a 0.5% real estate transfer fee in said town. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes 0.5% real estate transfer fee for local revenue, directly creating a new tax-based funding mechanism for town budgets.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes a real estate transfer fee (0.5%) whose revenue could fund local housing initiatives, aligning with housing funding indicators.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2256: An Act establishing the gateway cities renewable, efficient, and electrified neighborhoods initiative

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2256) of Brendan P. Crighton and Michael O. Moore for legislation to establish the GREEN initiative to retrofit existing low-income and moderate-income housing in qualifying municipalities to be highly energy efficient. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes GREEN initiative to retrofit housing for energy efficiency, directly advancing energy efficiency standards and renewable energy infrastructure through housing retrofits.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds energy efficiency retrofits for low/moderate-income housing, reducing utility costs and enhancing affordability in existing housing stock.95% confidence

Track

signed · Massachusetts · House Apr 29, 2026

H 4225: An Act authorizing the town of Marblehead to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption

By Representative Armini of Marblehead and Senator Crighton, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4225) of Jennifer Balinsky Armini and Brendan P. Crighton (by vote of the town) that the town of Marblehead be authorized to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption in said town. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMeans-tested senior property tax exemption provides tax relief for lower-income seniors, aligning with support indicators for tax relief and fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill authorizes a means-tested senior property tax exemption, reducing housing costs for elderly homeowners and directly supporting affordable housing access for a vulnerable group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Taxes

in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 15, 2025

H 4601: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

This bill, H 4601, is a fiscal year 2025 appropriations measure that allocates specific funds to Massachusetts state agencies and programs. It directly affects state operations by supplementing existing budgets, including $2.05 billion for MassHealth fee-for-service payments, $35 million for housing preservation, $15 million for World Cup event support, and $60.7 million for snow removal services. Key mechanisms include re-appropriating unspent funds from previous years and creating new funding reserves for specific purposes like reproductive health care continuity and substance use disorder treatment facilities. The bill ensures these funds are available through June 2026, supplementing existing appropriations without creating new policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2.05B for MassHealth, $35M housing preservation, and $60.7M snow removal, directly funding essential public services and supplementing existing budgets.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.05B for MassHealth fee-for-service payments, directly funding healthcare coverage under public health programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $35 million specifically for housing preservation, directly funding housing stability efforts per the summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Substance Abuse Women's Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 11, 2025

H 3429: An Act establishing a Massachusetts Baby Bonds program

By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3429) of Andres X. Vargas and others for legislation to direct the State Treasurer to establish a baby bonds trust fund to assist certain designated beneficiaries in pursuing opportunities for education, housing, and entrepreneurship. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes trust fund specifically for housing opportunities alongside education and entrepreneurship, directly funding housing access as a designated beneficiary area.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1542: An Act to study single-stair residential buildings

By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1542) of Meghan K. Kilcoyne and others for legislation to establish a special commission to study and define conditions under which single-stair multi-family residential buildings up to six stories shall be legalized. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to study legalization of single-stair multi-family buildings (up to 6 stories), enabling more housing development by removing construction barriers. Aligns with housing development goals in topic description.85% confidence

Track

signed · Massachusetts · House Sep 5, 2025

H 4139: An Act authorizing the town of Wellesley to dissolve its Housing Development Corporation

By Representative Peisch of Wellesley and Senator Creem, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4139) of Alice Hanlon Peisch (by vote of the town) that the town of Wellesley be authorized to dissolve the housing development corporation of said town. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingDissolving Wellesley's Housing Development Corporation would terminate a dedicated housing development entity, directly limiting housing development efforts in the town.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development