Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3939: An Act temporarily protecting recently widowed spouses from foreclosure

By Representative Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1329) of Priscila S. Sousa that mortgage lenders delay foreclosure proceedings after certain borrower deaths. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects widowed spouses from foreclosure, strengthening tenant rights and preventing displacement after borrower death.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2543: An Act relative to manufactured housing communities

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1019) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to manufactured housing communities. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill targets manufactured housing communities, a key affordable housing sector, implying tenant protection and community development support85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4839: An Act authorizing the town of Eastham to impose a 3% real estate transfer fee

This bill authorizes the Town of Eastham to charge a 3% fee on real estate transfers exceeding $1, paid by the buyer at closing. The fee funds Eastham's Affordable Housing Trust Fund or Wastewater Stabilization Fund, as determined by the Select Board. Exemptions include first-time homebuyers (who must live in the home for 5 years), government transfers, family transfers, and certain charitable or affordable housing transactions. The fee is a personal debt of the buyer, with interest accruing on unpaid amounts at the same rate as real estate taxes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly funds Affordable Housing Trust Fund via 3% transfer fee, with exemptions for first-time homebuyers and affordable housing transactions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 157: An Act to promote equity among lessors

This bill (HD 157) changes who pays brokerage fees in rental agreements. It requires that fees charged by licensed real estate brokers or salespeople must be paid only by the landlord or tenant who directly hired them to arrange the lease. The law prevents landlords from passing these fees onto tenants through the lease contract, or tenants from being charged by brokers they didn't personally engage. This directly affects landlords, tenants, and brokers involved in residential rental transactions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents landlords from passing brokerage fees to tenants, directly protecting tenants from unexpected costs in rental agreements per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 2, 2026

H 3967: An Act relative to amending the Community Preservation Act to include an extra percentage surcharge for accessibility

By Representative Flanagan of Dennis, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3967) of Christopher Richard Flanagan for legislation to further regulate surcharges on real property. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes real property surcharge to fund accessibility projects under Community Preservation Act, generating dedicated revenue for public service.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends Community Preservation Act (housing-focused) to add accessibility surcharge, advancing housing accessibility standards under preservation framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3447: An Act relative to partial payment

By Representative Ferrante of Gloucester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 362) of Ann-Margaret Ferrante for legislation to further regulate residential contracting agreements. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill regulates residential contracting agreements under consumer protection, strongly implying tenant protection (key housing policy element). Strong inference from bill language.80% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1959: An Act relative to amending the Community Preservation Act to include an extra percentage surcharge for accessibility

This bill amends the Community Preservation Act to require an additional surcharge on real property taxes in communities using the fund. The surcharge revenue must be specifically directed toward accessibility improvements for public facilities and housing. It directly affects property owners in participating communities and local governments managing Community Preservation funds. The change modifies how existing surcharge funds are allocated, prioritizing accessibility projects without altering the overall tax rate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill adds property tax surcharge to fund accessibility improvements, increasing tax revenue allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirectly funds accessibility improvements in housing via real property tax surcharge, advancing housing accessibility as a core housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House May 12, 2025

HD 4660: 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 the town's Housing Development Corporation directly halts local housing development initiatives, limiting affordable housing efforts per bill's explicit action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4880: An Act establishing a real property transfer fee in the town of Chatham

HD 4880 imposes a 0.5% fee on real property transfers in Chatham where the purchase price is $2 million or more, payable by the buyer at the time of transfer. The fee requires a certificate of payment for the transfer to be recorded by the registry of deeds, and all collected funds go directly into the Town's Housing Fund to support affordable housing (for households earning up to 100% of the area median income) and attainable housing (for households earning up to 200% of the area median income). The bill exempts certain transfers, such as those to government entities, and allows refunds within seven days if a transaction is canceled. This fee directly affects high-value property buyers in Chatham, with no impact on lower-priced transactions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingImposes 0.5% transfer fee on high-value properties to fund affordable housing (≤100% AMI) and attainable housing (≤200% AMI) via dedicated Housing Fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3909: An Act amending the MBTA communities act to provide recategorization and alternative compliance

This bill allows communities designated as "adjacent" under the MBTA Communities Act to request a review of their status. Specifically, it permits these communities to submit written petitions to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, providing evidence that their designation creates undue burdens due to insufficient infrastructure or resources. The state office must then develop regulations outlining how to assess these petitions and decide whether to modify a community's designation. This creates a formal process for communities to seek relief from MBTA community requirements they argue are impractical to meet. The bill directly affects municipalities currently classified as "adjacent" under the MBTA Communities Act.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows communities to seek exemption from MBTA affordable housing requirements, weakening enforcement of housing development mandates.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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