This bill creates a $1,500 tax credit for residents in Massachusetts manufactured housing communities who need to replace above-ground oil tanks for health and safety reasons. The credit applies specifically to residents removing tanks that require replacement due to safety hazards, following state guidelines. It directly affects residents living in manufactured housing communities who own such tanks. The provision requires tank replacement to meet Massachusetts safety standards, focusing on improving resident safety through financial assistance.
HD 2634 allocates $2.2 billion to modernize Massachusetts' water infrastructure, primarily through $2 billion for expanding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's service area to support housing development and address PFAS-contaminated water supplies. The bill prioritizes funding for debt relief to improve affordability in struggling communities, grants for sewer and water upgrades tied to housing projects, and research on PFAS and biosolids. It also establishes a commission to review water transfer laws for housing development and requires annual reports on expansion projects and barriers. The funding directly affects municipalities, water utilities, and communities with water quality issues, with specific targets for housing-related infrastructure.
HD 2739 creates a Massachusetts tax-advantaged savings account to help first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals to open a designated savings account (with a financial institution) to save for down payments and closing costs on a single-family home, with tax deductions for contributions (up to $10,000 annually for individuals or $20,000 for joint filers). The account must be used within 15 years for eligible home purchases by a qualified beneficiary (a Massachusetts resident who hasn’t owned a home in 3 years), with a lifetime cap of $100,000 in contributions and earnings. Unused funds after the 15-year period become taxable income. The bill applies specifically to Massachusetts income tax returns and does not provide direct grants or loans.
This bill caps annual property tax increases for existing residential homes at 20% of the previous year's tax amount. It also prohibits municipalities from reassessing properties or imposing additional tax hikes for three years after a triggering event, such as the sale of comparable homes in the area. The law applies to homes not classified as new construction or fully reconstructed, and requires the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to monitor compliance and establish appeal processes for homeowners. Homeowners can challenge assessments that violate these limits through existing legal channels.
This bill proposes establishing a Massachusetts public bank owned by the state to manage public funds and provide affordable financing. It would directly affect state/local governments, small/middle-sized businesses (especially in underserved communities), minority/women-owned enterprises, and organizations addressing housing, climate, and racial equity. Key mechanisms include depositing state funds in the bank, using those funds for self-sustaining lending, and requiring the bank to prioritize economic development, disaster recovery, affordable housing, sustainable agriculture, climate initiatives, and support for minority-owned businesses and rural areas. The bank would be supervised by the commissioner of banks and must operate under a public business plan.
Somerville would impose a 2% fee on most real estate transfers (1% paid by the seller, 1% by the buyer), with exemptions for transfers between family members, government entities, and certain vulnerable seniors or qualifying residential property owners. The fee funds the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which must support programs like community land trusts and purpose-built housing for current or recent residents. The city must track who pays the fee and report annually on how funds are used to support housing stability and affordability. This applies to residential properties (excluding those with four+ units) and requires documentation with property deeds before recording.
This bill (HD 1141) updates Massachusetts assistance programs for elders and people with disabilities. It requires that individuals experiencing homelessness - those with no permanent residence or staying in temporary shelters - to receive the same payment rates as those paying for shelter (like rent or mortgage), with the department creating rules to implement this. It also mandates annual budget increases for recipients based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index plus an additional percentage approved by the legislature, and sets the program's maximum benefit level equal to a similar program in Chapter 118. These changes directly affect low-income elders and disabled residents who are homeless or in temporary housing.
This bill establishes a $300 million Zero Carbon Renovation Fund administered by multiple state agencies to support energy-efficient building upgrades. It directly affects affordable housing, low/moderate income homes, public schools, municipal buildings, and certified small businesses across Massachusetts. The fund covers renovations that make buildings highly energy efficient, use all-electric systems, include on-site renewable energy, and use low-carbon materials, while also funding necessary remediation like lead paint removal or electrical upgrades. Priority is given to environmental justice communities and "gateway cities," with funds carried forward annually instead of reverting to the general budget.
SD 804 establishes a special commission to study whether single-stair multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) can be legalized in Massachusetts. The commission, composed of fire safety experts, architects, building officials, and housing advocates, will develop a building code amendment that includes safety measures for these structures. It must build on prior research and analyze safety comparisons to two-stair buildings, plus create an implementation plan. The study will be funded with $250,000 from the General Fund. This bill does not change current law but sets the stage for potential future code updates affecting developers and residents of mid-rise housing.
This bill creates a special commission to study whether single-stair, multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) should be legalized in Massachusetts. The commission, including fire safety experts, architects, building officials, and housing advocates, will develop building code amendments with safety measures, building on prior research. It allocates $250,000 from the General Fund to fund this study and produce recommendations. The bill itself does not change current laws but authorizes the study to inform future building code changes for this housing type.
