Housing (Housing Finance)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4878: An Act establishing a housing trust fund in the town of Chatham

HD 4878 establishes the Chatham Housing Trust to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round Chatham residents. The trust fund, separate from other town funds, will receive grants, donations, and rental income to directly finance housing projects meeting income criteria (affordable: up to 100% of area median income; attainable: up to 200%). A 7-member board, appointed by the select board with community representation, will manage the fund and make spending decisions without requiring new town meeting approvals each time. The trust can accept donations, buy/sell property, and use funds specifically for housing projects serving low-to-moderate income households. This bill directly affects Chatham residents seeking housing options and provides a dedicated funding mechanism for local housing initiatives.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates dedicated trust fund to finance affordable (up to 100% AMI) and attainable (up to 200% AMI) housing projects, directly advancing affordable housing access through funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3183: An Act allow all towns and cities to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as an incentive for housing (residential rehab or commercial conversion)

By Representatives Marsi of Dudley and Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3183) of John J. Marsi, Marcus S. Vaughn and others relative to tax increment financing (TIF). Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables TIF for housing incentives, using tax increments to fund development - a fiscal tool aligning with funding essential programs under Budget & Taxes.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables TIF for residential rehab/commercial conversion, directly incentivizing housing development and affordability through tax-based financing tools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 468: An Act to promote housing cooperatives

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives within the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The center will directly support low-to-moderate income residents by providing education, outreach, research, and grants to expand cooperative housing ownership, preserve existing properties, and facilitate capital needs. It authorizes a $100 million fiscal year 2026 fund to acquire real estate, rehabilitate properties, and support housing cooperatives through specific agencies like the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. The center must annually report to the legislature on housing cooperative inventory and activities. The bill creates a dedicated fund managed by the center, with unspent funds carrying over to future years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $100M fund for housing cooperatives, directly increasing state budget allocation for affordable housing programs targeting low-to-moderate income residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes center and $100M fund to expand cooperative housing ownership for low-to-moderate income residents, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1066: An Act relative to industrial development finance authorities

HD 1066 amends Massachusetts' industrial development finance authority (IDFA) laws to expand eligibility for financing. The key change (Section 3) adds rental housing - including low- and moderate-income housing under Chapter 40B - to the definition of "industrial enterprise," allowing IDFAs to finance such projects. This directly affects municipalities and developers seeking to use IDFA bonds for housing developments. The bill clarifies bond issuance authority (Section 4) and removes outdated references to "MIFA" and other administrative terms throughout the chapter. These changes streamline financing for housing projects under IDFA programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands IDFA financing to include low/moderate-income rental housing under Chapter 40B, enabling bond funding for affordable housing projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development Renters

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3715: An Act relative to improving the efficiency of the state low income housing tax credit

This bill (HD 3715) updates Massachusetts law to clarify who can receive low-income housing tax credits. It replaces the term "owner" with "allocatee" throughout relevant statutes, defining an "allocatee" as either a property owner or a taxpayer committing funds to a qualified housing project. This change directly affects investors and developers who provide capital for affordable housing projects but don't own the property. The key mechanism is simply updating legal definitions to include these funding providers as eligible recipients of tax credits. The bill makes no new policy changes but streamlines the existing program's administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies tax credit eligibility to include investors/developers, enabling efficient use of housing tax credits to support affordable housing programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingUpdates tax credit definitions to include investors, enabling more affordable housing development through existing funding mechanisms90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Landlords

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 1552: An Act to create an interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board

By Representative Mendes of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1552) of Rita A. Mendes for legislation to create an interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates interagency board to manage supportive housing finance and strategy, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives through coordinated funding and planning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 247: An Act to promote housing cooperatives

This bill establishes a Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives within CEDAC to support cooperative housing ownership, primarily for low-to-moderate income residents. The center will provide education, outreach, research, and grants to expand resident-owned housing, preserve existing cooperative properties, and promote cooperative models to policymakers. It allocates $100 million in fiscal year 2026 for acquiring, rehabilitating, and supporting housing cooperatives through state agencies like the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. The center must annually report on housing cooperative activities and submit recommendations for improving cooperative housing access.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100M for housing cooperatives, a public program supporting low-to-moderate income residents, directly funding a state initiative.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $100M for housing cooperatives targeting low-to-moderate income residents, promoting affordable ownership through grants, rehab, and policy advocacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2715: An Act addressing affordable housing

This bill creates a special commission to review Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency's (MHFA) performance on affordable and low-income housing in gateway cities. The commission, consisting of three members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, will assess MHFA's work over the past five years and recommend improvements. The commission must begin its review within 30 days of the bill's effective date and submit a report with recommendations to both legislative chambers within one year. The bill does not change housing programs but establishes a formal process for evaluating MHFA's effectiveness in targeted communities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates commission to review and improve MHFA's affordable housing performance in gateway cities, directly advancing housing program effectiveness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3716: An Act restoring the Commonwealth's public housing

This bill (HD 3716) streamlines public housing development and preservation in Massachusetts. It allows housing authorities to use "controlled entities" for construction without standard procurement rules (following federal requirements), provides tax exemptions for income-restricted housing units (with prorated payments for non-exempt portions), and enables authorities to borrow against future capital funds for maintenance. The bill directly affects public housing authorities and residents living in income-restricted units across the Commonwealth. These changes aim to simplify project development, reduce costs, and ensure long-term preservation of affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemptions for income-restricted housing units, aligning with tax relief for lower-income housing and funding public housing development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines public housing development, provides tax exemptions for income-restricted units, and enables borrowing for maintenance - directly advancing affordable housing preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1806: An Act establishing an accessory dwelling unit trust fund

This bill creates a state trust fund to help low- and moderate-income homeowners build secondary housing units (like backyard cottages or basement apartments) on their properties. It targets property owners with incomes up to 110% of the local median income (as defined by federal housing standards). The fund will provide financial assistance for pre-construction costs - such as design fees, permits, utility connections, and site preparation - but only the minimum amount needed to make the project feasible. Administered by the state housing office or designated agencies, the fund will accept state appropriations, private donations, and other sources, with unspent funds remaining in the fund rather than reverting to the general state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state trust fund for housing assistance costs, funding essential program for low-income homeowners through fiscal allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a trust fund to help low/moderate-income homeowners build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), directly increasing affordable housing supply through financial assistance for development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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