Housing (Homelessness)

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

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1515: An Act to transform the Commonwealth’s emergency response system and create housing strategies to end the homelessness of unaccompanied adults

By Representative Higgins of Leominster, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1515) of Natalie M. Higgins, Mike Connolly and Lindsay N. Sabadosa for legislation to develop housing strategies to end the homelessness of unaccompanied adults. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates housing strategies to end homelessness of unaccompanied adults, directly addressing housing needs through proactive policy development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1496: An Act relative to residential assistance for families in transition (RAFT)

By Representative Donahue of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1496) of Daniel M. Donahue that the Department of Housing and Community Development administer residential assistance for the Families in Transition Homelessness Prevention Program. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdministers residential assistance for homelessness prevention program, directly supporting affordable housing access and preventing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homelessness Property Development

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 226: An Act to end child homelessness

By Representative DuBois of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 226) of Michelle M. DuBois relative to child homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly targets child homelessness, directly aligning with housing support indicators like addressing homelessness and protecting vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House Nov 10, 2025

HD 5258: A communication from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (see item 7004-0100 Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting a report to divert families from emergency assistance shelters

HD 5258 is a procedural bill transmitting a report from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities about diverting families from emergency assistance shelters. The report details the HomeBASE program, which provides financial assistance to families to avoid emergency shelter use and transition to permanent housing, referencing a $1,182 weekly average cost for emergency shelter per family. It includes data on diversion outcomes, such as 409 of 454 families exiting the program to permanent housing, and aligns with similar diversion strategies used in other states.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill transmits report on HomeBASE program that diverts families from shelters to permanent housing, reducing homelessness and supporting affordable housing initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 17, 2026

H 274: An Act establishing a bill of rights for individuals experiencing homelessness

By Representative Moran of Lawrence, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 274) of Frank A. Moran for legislation to establish a bill of rights for individuals experiencing homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes rights for homeless individuals, directly addressing housing insecurity per support indicator 'addresses homelessness'90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 31, 2026

H 4783: An Act relative to reaffirming the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa relative to the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly addresses homelessness, a core housing issue, by reaffirming rights of homeless individuals, aligning with housing protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1004: An Act promoting housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program

This bill strengthens Massachusetts' HomeBASE program to improve housing stability for families facing eviction or housing transitions. It expands short-term housing benefits to eligible families (those with children under 21 or pregnant individuals) for up to 24 months initially, then 12-month renewals, with no income restrictions after enrollment. Key provisions include allowing applications after court eviction notices are filed, removing requirements to prove "no fault" eviction, and setting funding caps of $30,000 for the first period and $15,000 for renewals. Families can also combine these benefits with other housing assistance programs like residential assistance for families in transition, as long as the support is non-duplicative and needed for housing stability.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens HomeBASE program, expands housing benefits to eligible families, removes eviction barriers - directly advances tenant protections and housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3081: An Act ending the criminalization of homelessness

This bill prohibits cities and towns from enforcing fines or other penalties against homeless individuals solely for sleeping, camping, or trespassing on public property. It directly affects people experiencing homelessness, defined as those without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The key provision amends state law to ban local ordinances that criminalize these basic survival activities on public spaces. The bill specifically defines "camping" as using tents, vehicles, or temporary shelters, making it clear that such acts cannot be punished with fines.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly ends criminalization of homelessness (sleeping/camping on public property), directly addressing housing access for vulnerable populations per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1982: An Act to transform the Commonwealth’s emergency response system and create housing strategies to end the homelessness of unaccompanied adults

SD 1982 requires Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing to conduct a study on future shelter and housing needs using population-based ratios to determine required capacity for permanent supportive housing and non-congregate shelters (individual rooms with doors, not dorm-style). It mandates a 5-year plan to build new non-congregate shelters and permanent supportive housing (subsidized housing with support services), prioritizing conversion of existing congregate shelters where feasible. The bill specifically directs the creation of targeted housing strategies for unaccompanied adults experiencing homelessness, with priority for elderly, disabled, medically complex, and LGBTQ+ individuals, including exploring modular construction and repurposed hotels. This legislation directly affects unaccompanied homeless adults in Massachusetts and aims to shift the state's emergency response system away from congregate shelter models.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 5-year plan for new non-congregate shelters and permanent supportive housing, prioritizing conversion of existing shelters to address homelessness and increase housing capacity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness

Track