Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6152: An Act authorizing the town of Provincetown to impose a 0.5% real estate transfer fee

This bill authorizes the Town of Provincetown to collect a 0.5% fee on the purchase price of real estate transactions valued at $1 million or more. The fee is the responsibility of the buyer and must be paid directly to the town at the time of the transfer, with funds split equally between two housing trust accounts. Several exemptions apply, including transfers to family members, government entities, and first-time homebuyers who commit to living in the home for five years. If the fee is not paid, the buyer will owe interest and face legal action to recover the debt.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing trust accounts via a transfer fee, directly supporting affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 6, 2026

H 5447: An Act relative to Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the town of West Tisbury

By Representative Moakley of Falmouth and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5447) of Thomas W. Moakley (by vote of the town) relative to the affordable housing trust fund of the town of West Tisbury. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes an Affordable Housing Trust Fund for West Tisbury, directly funding and strengthening affordable housing initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Apr 8, 2026

HD 5785: A communication from the Executive Office for Administration and Finance and the Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities (see Section 10 of Chapter 1 and Section 88 of Chapter 73 of the Acts of 2025 and Section 19 of Chapter 88 of the Acts of 2024) submitting the February 19, 2026 biweekly report on the emergency housing assistance program

This bill serves as a formal communication from state executive offices to submit a biweekly report on the emergency housing assistance program. The document provides data updates as of February 19, 2026, detailing the status of assistance provided to individuals facing housing hardships. It does not introduce new laws or policy changes but rather fulfills a reporting requirement to keep the legislature informed about ongoing program activities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reports on emergency housing assistance, indicating active support for housing stability programs.75% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

HD 5781: A communication from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (see item 7004-9316 of Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) first quarterly report for fiscal year 2026

This bill requires the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to submit a quarterly report on the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program to state legislative committees. The report details the number of families applying for and receiving financial aid, the specific amounts awarded, and how the funds are distributed across different income levels. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, the document records that over 48,000 households applied for assistance, with 14,181 approved for state-funded aid totaling approximately $48.3 million. The data further breaks down the assistance by income category, showing that households earning between 0% and 15% of the area median income received the largest share of funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates reporting on RAFT, a program providing financial aid to families in transition, indicating support for housing assistance.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

H 5377: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates funds for the 2026 fiscal year to support various state agencies, including those responsible for substance addiction services, homelessness programs, and public safety operations. It also allocates money for specific projects such as technology costs for district attorneys and snow and ice removal services for the Department of Transportation. Beyond funding, the legislation updates legal thresholds for construction projects and expands procurement rules to allow government bodies to bundle broadband and fiber optic services into single purchases. These changes aim to streamline how the state buys internet infrastructure and adjust financial limits for certain construction activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for state agencies and essential projects, directly advancing the budget topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates funds for substance addiction services and homelessness programs, which are critical public health initiatives.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates funds for homelessness programs and substance addiction services, which directly support housing stability and access.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates funds for snow and ice removal services for the Department of Transportation, providing direct financial support to transportation operations.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement State Budget Substance Abuse Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House May 26, 2026

HD 6068: A communication from the Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities (see Section 2XXX of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting the District Local Technical Assistance annual report for fiscal year 2025

This document is an annual report submitted to the Massachusetts legislature detailing the activities of the District Local Technical Assistance program for fiscal year 2025. The program, which receives a $3 million allocation, provides technical assistance to local communities through thirteen Regional Planning Agencies to help with housing planning, zoning updates, and economic development projects. The report lists specific funded initiatives across various regions, such as creating master plans, developing design guidelines, and studying transit options to support local governance and community needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill submits an annual report detailing a $3 million allocation for housing planning and economic development, indicating active funding of public services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds a technical assistance program for housing planning and zoning updates, directly advancing housing development and capacity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning Tags Data Reporting

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6170: An Act relative to real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief in the city of Boston

This bill establishes a real estate transfer fee of up to 2% on property sales in Boston to fund affordable housing and senior tax relief programs. The fee is paid by the seller but excludes the first $2 million of a property's value and includes exemptions for family transfers, government entities, and other specific cases. Collected funds must be deposited into the Neighborhood Housing Trust, though the city can reserve some for additional housing stability initiatives. Additionally, the legislation updates the criteria for senior homeowner property tax exemptions by raising income and asset limits to better protect vulnerable residents from displacement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new fee to fund affordable housing and senior tax relief, directly advancing fiscal management and protecting vulnerable groups.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes fees to fund affordable housing and senior tax relief, directly advancing housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Affordable Housing Homeownership Property Taxes

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signed · Massachusetts · House Jun 25, 2026

H 5442: An Act relative to certain affordable housing and cultural space in the Brighton section of the city of Boston

This bill exempts a specific redevelopment project by the Boston Housing Authority in Brighton from most state laws governing public construction contracts. The project aims to create affordable, mixed-income housing, cultural spaces, and musician rehearsal rooms on two designated parcels. Instead of following standard procurement rules, the bill requires the project to adhere only to specific sections of Chapter 149 regarding public works. This change allows the authority more flexibility in selecting contractors and managing the acquisition of land needed to complete the development.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates affordable mixed-income housing and cultural spaces, directly advancing housing availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6145: An Act relative to Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the town of West Tisbury

This bill allows the West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust to use its funds to build or support community housing for households earning up to 180% of the Dukes County median income. The change specifically overrides previous rules that might have restricted the trust to lower income levels, while still keeping stricter limits for money received from the Community Preservation Act. Directly affecting the town of West Tisbury and its residents, the legislation expands the pool of eligible families who can access affordable housing options funded by this trust.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands affordable housing eligibility by allowing funds to serve households up to 180% of median income, strengthening access to affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

HD 5979: A communication from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (see Section 16W of Chapter 6A of the General Laws) submitting the Special Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth annual report for fiscal year 2024

This bill is a procedural action that places a formal communication on file, submitting the 2024 annual report from the Special Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth to the legislature. The report details findings from the Youth Count survey, which tracks where unaccompanied homeless youth stayed the night before the survey to understand their living situations. By filing this document, the bill fulfills a requirement established in 2014 to review resources and conditions affecting this specific population.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill submits an annual report on unaccompanied homeless youth, directly addressing homelessness and housing conditions for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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