Housing

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SD 2616: An Act relative to providing alternative compliance for multi-family zoning requirement for MBTA communities

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr and Colleen M. Garry for legislation to provide alternative compliance for multi-family zoning requirement for MBTA communities. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables alternative compliance for multi-family zoning in MBTA communities, facilitating housing development and aligning with affordable housing goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 1, 2025

H 310: An Act to establish a commission to review equitable city planning and development

By Representative Tyler of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 310) of Chynah Tyler for legislation to establish within the Department of Housing and Community Development a commission to review equitable city planning and development. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes commission to review equitable city planning/development under housing department, aiming to address disparities in housing access and development policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4278: An Act authorizing the city of Cambridge to impose a real estate transfer fee

HD 4278 authorizes Cambridge to charge a 2% fee on real estate transfers exceeding $1 million, applying to property sales or major ownership changes in Cambridge. The fee is paid by sellers (not buyers) and excludes government transfers, affordable housing properties, and certain corrections to prior transfers. Collected by the Middlesex South registry of deeds at the time of property recording, all fees fund Cambridge's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The exemption threshold automatically adjusts yearly based on Boston-area inflation data.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly funds Cambridge's Affordable Housing Trust Fund through a 2% transfer fee on high-value sales, advancing affordable housing programs as specified in the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

Track

signed · Massachusetts · House Oct 8, 2025

H 4532: An Act relative to certain affordable housing and branch library space in the Dorchester section of the city of Boston

This bill exempts construction and redevelopment activities for affordable housing and a branch library at 555-559 Columbia Road in Dorchester, Boston, from standard public contracting rules (like Chapter 149). Instead, it requires adherence to specific sections of Chapter 149 (26-27H) for procurement, while allowing property acquisition costs to exceed typical limits. The exemption applies if the project uses low-income housing tax credits or federal funding, but standard rules for public works contracts still apply in those cases. The bill also specifies that transferring the project to certain nonprofit or redevelopment entities must follow Chapter 30B rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing construction from standard contracting rules to facilitate development using low-income tax credits, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1983: An Act relative to unlawful practices in the servicing and foreclosure of a subordinate mortgage

By Representative Sangiolo of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1983) of Amy Mah Sangiolo, Patrick Joseph Kearney and David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf relative to the servicing and foreclosure of subordinate mortgages. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill targets unlawful foreclosure practices, protecting property rights related to housing through judicial oversight of subordinate mortgage servicing.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 3, 2025

S 648: An Act to protect open space, historical resources, and community housing from coastal threats

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 648) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to community preservation funds for seawall repairs. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly protects open space/historical resources from coastal threats via seawall repairs funding, directly aligning with environmental conservation under Environment committee.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly protects community housing from coastal threats via seawall repair funding, aligning with housing preservation and protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2344: An Act requiring Safe Harbor exceptions to the MBTA Communities Act

By Representative Turco of Winthrop, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2344) of Jeffrey Rosario Turco, David F. DeCoste and Colleen M. Garry for legislation to require safe harbor exceptions to the multi-family zoning as-of-right in certain MBTA communities. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill requires safe harbor exceptions to multi-family zoning as-of-right, allowing municipalities to opt out of housing development requirements, limiting housing options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 2, 2026

H 1561: An Act requiring notice to landlords relating to gas or electric shutoffs

By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1561) of Jeffrey N. Roy relative to requiring notices to landlords relating to gas or electric shutoffs. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to receive notice before utility shutoffs, preventing sudden tenant disruptions and strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 10, 2025

S 232: An Act requiring fair housing education for all real estate licensees

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 232) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to further fair housing in real estate. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires fair housing education for real estate licensees to prevent discrimination, aligning with tenant protection and anti-discrimination policies in housing.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House May 20, 2026

H 4415: An Act relative to certain affordable housing and cultural space in the Brighton section of the city of Boston

By Representative Michael J. Moran of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4415) of Michael J. Moran (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to the procurement and award of contracts for construction of a certain affordable housing and cultural space in the Brighton section of the city of Boston. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes construction of affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, Boston, directly advancing affordable housing access per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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