Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 20, 2025

H 1518: An Act relative to starter homes

By Representative Honan of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1518) of Kevin G. Honan relative to single-family home construction. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes single-family starter home construction, a standard method to expand affordable housing availability and support first-time homebuyers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 20, 2025

HD 5342: 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 rights, aligning with housing support indicators like protecting vulnerable populations and advancing housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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signed · Massachusetts · House Apr 1, 2026

H 4768: An Act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey certain parcels of land in the city of Brockton

This bill authorizes Massachusetts to transfer a specific parcel of land in Brockton (bounded by Beaumont Ave, Quincy St, Crescent St, and Burrill Ave) to Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston for $1. The land must be used exclusively for affordable housing (for households earning ≤80% of area median income) and a community services center offering food, childcare, or vocational training. If the transfer isn't completed by December 31, 2030, the state may competitively sell or lease the land after appraisals and public notice, with a reversion clause requiring the land to return to the state if purposes change. The transfer includes enforceable restrictions to ensure the land serves its intended community purposes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates land transfer for affordable housing (≤80% AMI) with community services, directly advancing housing access and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1989: An Act relative to fairness in home sales

This bill prohibits discrimination against certain homebuyers during home sales transactions. It directly affects individuals facing bias from sellers or real estate agents based on protected characteristics. The key provision would require sellers and agents to avoid discriminatory practices in the sales process. The bill aims to create fairer home-buying experiences by banning specific discriminatory acts under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing discrimination in home sales, directly aligning with tenant/buyer protection indicators under housing policy.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 459: An Act relative to the creation of a branch of the Boston Public Library within an affordable housing development in the Dorchester section of the City of Boston

This bill authorizes the creation of a Boston Public Library branch within a Dorchester affordable housing development. It modifies standard public procurement rules for the library's construction, requiring the project to follow specific sections of Chapter 149 (instead of general public contracting laws) and triggering Chapter 30's Section 39M if low-income housing tax credits or similar funding is used. The bill directly affects the Boston Public Library, the housing developer, and residents of the Dorchester development by streamlining contract rules for this specific project. It does not alter broader library services or housing policies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates library branch within Dorchester affordable housing development, enhancing community resources in existing affordable housing project per summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 512: An Act requiring notice to landlords relating to gas or electric shutoffs

This bill requires utility companies (gas or electric) to notify landlords when tenants fall behind on payments or when service termination is planned. Landlords who provide written notice that their property is a rental, include a valid mailing address, and request notifications must receive written notice within 14 days of delinquent charges or 14 days before a service termination. The bill applies only to landlords who proactively opt-in by submitting the required written information. It does not change utility shutoff policies but mandates specific notification procedures to landlords for rental properties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires utility companies to notify landlords of tenant payment issues, preventing sudden shutoffs that could lead to tenant displacement, strengthening tenant protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 551: An Act providing for rent regulation and control of evictions in manufactured housing parks in the town of Athol

This bill allows the Town of Athol to establish rent regulations and a rent board for manufactured housing parks (mobile home parks) within its borders. The rent board can adjust rents based on factors like property taxes, maintenance costs, and capital improvements, while requiring park owners to register park information under penalty of perjury. It also gives the rent board authority to regulate evictions, with its orders serving as a defense in eviction lawsuits. Violations of rent regulations carry fines up to $1,000. The bill applies exclusively to Athol and takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates rent regulation and eviction controls for manufactured housing parks, protecting tenants from excessive rent hikes and unlawful evictions, directly advancing tenant protections and affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 618: An Act establishing a special commission to study women and homelessness

HD 618 establishes a special commission to study homelessness among women in Massachusetts. The commission, co-chaired by legislative leaders and including state agency heads, will appoint six additional representatives - including homeless shelter advocates, housing experts, health care specialists, researchers, and individuals with lived experience - to conduct a community needs assessment. It will specifically examine homelessness prevention, shelter improvements for women and families, permanent housing access, data collection methods, and health/social service access for homeless women. The commission must submit its findings and recommendations to key legislative committees by July 31, 2023. This bill directly affects women experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts through the study's policy recommendations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to study women's homelessness, focusing on prevention and shelter improvements - directly addressing housing vulnerability and homelessness, a core housing topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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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 829: An Act relative to rental protections for elderly, disabled and low-to-middle income tenants

HD 829 protects eligible tenants (65+ or disabled, or with income at or below 80% of area median income) by allowing them to terminate leases early without penalty when moving to qualifying housing. Tenants must provide 30 days' written notice to landlords and can move to housing like nursing homes, public housing, or low-income developments without liability for the remaining lease term. Landlords cannot refuse rentals or housing assistance based on this termination, and lease clauses attempting to block this right are void. The law directly affects these specific tenant groups and their landlords, creating a clear mechanism for lease flexibility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects vulnerable tenants (elderly/disabled/low-income) from lease penalties when moving to qualifying housing, strengthening tenant rights and access to affordable housing options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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