Housing (Property Development)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1484: An Act to increase housing production in the city of Lowell

This bill amends zoning thresholds in Lowell to potentially increase housing production. It reduces specific numerical limits in existing law: changing "45" to "40" (Section 1), "180" to "187" (Section 2), and "81" to "75" (Section 3). These changes adjust development requirements for housing projects in Lowell, directly affecting developers and city planners. The bill modifies technical thresholds without specifying new policy outcomes, focusing solely on adjusting existing numerical parameters in zoning regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to increase housing production in Lowell through zoning adjustments, directly advancing housing development goals without restricting development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SD 3240: An Act to add multi-family housing constructed in compliance with the state’s transit-oriented development statute to the list of facilities exempted from the single-parcel rule

By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael J. Barrett for legislation to add multi-family housing constructed in compliance with the state’s transit-oriented development statute to the list of facilities exempted from the single-parcel rule. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts transit-oriented multi-family housing from single-parcel rule, enabling denser development and increasing housing supply per bill's intent to promote transit-oriented housing.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables transit-oriented housing developments by exempting them from single-parcel rule, promoting public transit accessibility and sustainable transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 4074: An Act relative to the development of single family and multi-family housing for veterans

By Representative Flanagan of Dennis, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4074) of Christopher Richard Flanagan relative to zoning for single family and multi-family housing for veterans. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables zoning for veteran housing development, directly advancing housing access and development for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly targets housing development for veterans through zoning changes, directly advancing housing benefits as a core veteran service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning Veteran Housing

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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

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 19, 2025

H 313: An Act encouraging smart growth and starter home zoning adoption

By Representative Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 313) of David T. Vieira relative to smart growth and starter home zoning adoption. Community Development and Small Businesses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill encourages smart growth and starter home zoning adoption, directly advancing affordable housing development through zoning reforms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

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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 · House

HD 3694: An Act relative to housing service coordinators

HD 3694 establishes a program for housing service coordinators to assist residents in privately owned state and federally assisted housing. These coordinators help reduce evictions, increase housing stability, and connect residents to education, job training, and other services that promote economic self-sufficiency. Property owners must provide tenants 30 days to meet with a coordinator before filing most eviction notices (unless immediate health/safety threats exist), and the Department of Housing and Community Development must report quarterly on coordinator numbers, locations, and evictions prevented.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates housing service coordinators to reduce evictions, increase housing stability, and require 30-day coordinator meetings before most evictions, directly protecting tenant rights and advancing housing stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConnects residents to job training/services promoting economic self-sufficiency, aligning with employment support indicators while focusing on housing stability.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Tenant Rights Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3254: An Act requiring Safe Harbor exceptions to the MBTA Communities Act

This bill amends Massachusetts law to exempt certain communities from specific requirements of the MBTA Communities Act. Communities that already qualify for "safe harbor" status under the state's affordable housing law (M.G.L. c. 40B) will no longer need to meet additional housing requirements under M.G.L. c. 40A, Section 3A. The key change is a direct exemption for these communities from Section 3A’s housing development mandates, streamlining compliance for municipalities already meeting 40B standards. This affects local governments in Massachusetts that have met the safe harbor criteria under the 40B housing law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts communities meeting 40B from redundant housing mandates, streamlining affordable housing compliance without reducing requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3676: An Act to exempt local housing authorities from the penalties of the MBTA Communities Law

This bill exempts local housing authorities from penalties under the MBTA Communities Law. Specifically, it amends state law to exclude housing authorities defined in Chapter 121B from the penalties for not meeting housing development requirements near transit hubs. The change adds a clear exception to Section 3A of Chapter 40A, ensuring these authorities are not penalized for failing to meet the law's housing goals. This directly affects municipal housing authorities that manage public housing under Chapter 121B.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExempts housing authorities from penalties for not meeting transit-oriented housing goals, weakening enforcement of development requirements under MBTA Communities Law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3781: An Act relative to the housing development incentive program

This bill increases the annual credit cap for Massachusetts' housing development incentive program to $100 million (including carry-forwards from prior years) and sets a $5 million limit per project. It requires that qualifying housing development projects - located in gateway municipalities - must contain at least 75% market-rate units after rehabilitation (down from 80%). The bill also mandates that tax exemption agreements for such projects in approved zones be approved within 90 days. These changes directly affect developers of multi-unit housing projects and state agencies managing the program, with concrete policy shifts in credit allocation, project requirements, and approval timelines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax credit cap ($100M) and modifies tax exemption agreements for housing projects, directly using tax policy to fund development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases housing development funding cap to $100M, lowers market-rate unit requirement (75% vs 80%) to allow more affordable units, and expedites tax approvals for projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Development

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