Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1200: An Act preserving broadband service for low-income consumers

Massachusetts bill SD 1200 requires broadband providers to offer high-speed internet service to eligible low-income households at $15 per month. Eligibility includes households participating in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or federal housing assistance, or earning under 200% of the federal poverty level. The service must provide at least 100 Mbps download speed, and providers must report annually to the state telecom department on enrollment and compliance. Violations can be enforced through court actions by the Attorney General.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEligibility includes households receiving federal housing assistance, directly supporting low-income housing residents through affordable broadband access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirectly expands affordable high-speed internet access for low-income households, advancing digital equity and internet access under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4056: An Act establishing a senior property tax deferral pilot program

This bill establishes a 10-year pilot program (2026-2035) to allow Massachusetts seniors aged 65+ who own and occupy their primary residence as a domicile for at least 5 years to defer property taxes. It allocates $107.5 million total, with annual funding decreasing from $13.2 million (2026) to $7.2 million (2035), targeting approximately 2,000 participants across 10,000 households. Participants must annually certify eligibility via a tax bill check-box, with deferred taxes capped at 60% of the first $1 million in property value; repayment is required upon sale, death, or if heirs fail to pay (with surviving spouses allowed to continue deferral). The program requires municipalities to track deferrals via a lien recorded against the property, ensuring taxes are recovered from the estate or new owners.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax deferral relief for seniors via $107.5M state funding, targeting low/middle-income seniors through a dedicated budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax deferral for seniors to maintain homeownership, preventing displacement and supporting housing stability for vulnerable residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 807: An Act relative to the assessment of local property taxes in the city of Springfield

This bill allows the city of Springfield to use funds from its existing Aid to the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund for property tax relief. It directly affects Springfield residents aged 65+ or disabled individuals who qualify for this tax relief program. The key provision removes a restriction that previously prevented the city from appropriating these specific funds. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage, enabling Springfield to better administer its current property tax relief program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables property tax relief for elderly/disabled residents using existing funds, directly providing tax relief under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables property tax relief for seniors/disabled via existing funds, directly increasing housing affordability for vulnerable residents without restricting housing access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4097: An Act for the removal of void restrictive covenants

This bill (HD 4097) requires Massachusetts property registry districts to automatically remove racially discriminatory housing restrictions from property titles when identified during title processing. Specifically, if a restriction is void under existing law (Section 23B of Chapter 184), the registry must issue a new certificate without the prohibited language and add an educational memorandum explaining the removal. It directly affects property owners and registry districts by changing how title records are updated. The bill mandates annual reporting of these changes to the Office of Fair Housing and provides a court process for resolving complex cases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes racially discriminatory housing restrictions, preventing housing discrimination. This directly aligns with SUPPORT indicator of preventing housing discrimination.90% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4362: An Act authorizing the town of Wellfleet to establish a real estate transfer fee

HD 4362 authorizes the Town of Wellfleet to impose a 1% real estate transfer fee on both buyers and sellers for property transfers within the town. The fee is collected at closing, with the first $50,000 annually deposited into the town's Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund and remaining funds directed to the Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust. Key exemptions include first-time homebuyers (with a lien requirement), government transfers, family transfers, charitable organizations, and sales under $100. The bill requires sellers and buyers to pay the fee regardless of private agreements, mandates a certificate of payment for property records, and requires annual reporting on fee collections and housing program funding. This directly affects all residential and commercial property buyers and sellers in Wellfleet.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs real estate transfer fee funds to Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust, explicitly funding affordable housing initiatives through dedicated revenue streams.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1518: An Act protecting honest employers by creating construction private attorney general actions

This bill creates a new legal mechanism allowing certain construction industry stakeholders (like competing employers, labor organizations, or affected employees) to sue on behalf of the Commonwealth against employers who fail to pay wages properly. If successful, the lawsuit recovers triple the unpaid wages plus a 20% surcharge, with all funds directed to a state wage enforcement fund. The fund supports wage law enforcement, public education, and emergency loans for workers facing urgent housing, heat, or food costs. It specifically targets wage non-payment violations in construction projects governed by Chapter 149, aiming to stop unfair competition from employers who undercut honest competitors by skipping wage payments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides emergency housing loans for workers via wage enforcement fund, directly funding housing assistance as stated in bill summary.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates enforcement mechanism for unpaid wages with triple damages and surcharge, directing funds to wage enforcement, education, and worker loans, directly strengthening wage protection.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 238: An Act eliminating forced broker's fees

This bill prohibits real estate brokers and landlords from charging tenants fees for services like showings, document preparation, or tenant screening when renting residential properties in Massachusetts. It bans landlords from requiring tenants to hire a broker or pay broker fees as a condition of renting. Violations are considered unfair business practices under Chapter 93A, with fines up to $1,000 per violation. The law directly affects tenants, landlords, and brokers in residential rental transactions across the Commonwealth.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEliminates tenant fees for broker services, reducing rental costs and strengthening tenant protections under housing affordability policies.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3974: An Act establishing a foreclosure review division

HD 3974 creates a new specialized court division within Massachusetts' superior court to handle all residential foreclosure cases. This division will centralize jurisdiction over foreclosure actions - including evictions, title disputes, mortgage modifications, and related civil and criminal matters - currently spread across multiple court departments. Key provisions require the division to provide online resources and mediation services for self-represented homeowners, transfer eligible cases from other courts without additional fees, and waive recordation fees for indigent parties. The bill directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure (especially those without lawyers), courts handling these cases, and the state court system by streamlining processes and improving access to justice.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates foreclosure review division with mediation for homeowners, preventing evictions and strengthening tenant protections in housing disputes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1572: An Act to prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents

SD 1572 prohibits bullying in Massachusetts housing communities primarily for residents aged 55+ or with disabilities (subsidized by HUD or the state). It defines bullying broadly to include cyberbullying, group bullying, and mobbing (where management condones bullying), and bans retaliation against reporters. Owners/managers must create and implement evidence-based bullying prevention plans within six months, train all staff and residents, and update these plans biennially. The Attorney General’s office will develop model plans, resources, and conduct biennial surveys to assess bullying prevalence and prevention effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates bullying prevention plans in senior/disabled housing, enhancing tenant safety and protections within housing communities.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3689: An Act to safeguard municipal permitting

HD 3689 modifies municipal permitting rules to give developers more time to start projects before new zoning rules apply. It requires construction under regular building permits to begin within 12 months and continue to completion to avoid following future zoning changes, while special permits or site plans have a 3-year window. For redevelopment on previously disturbed land, work is considered "started" once site prep begins, and phased projects must proceed expeditiously (as quickly as possible) between phases without needing constant work. This directly affects developers planning construction and municipalities enforcing zoning compliance. The bill clarifies when existing permits remain valid despite updated local land use regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill streamlines permitting for developers by extending timelines to start projects, reducing regulatory barriers to housing construction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Land Use Zoning

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