Housing (Affordable Housing)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 963: An Act relative to local preference in affordable housing

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 963) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to local preference in affordable housing. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes local preference for affordable housing, prioritizing community access and strengthening tenant opportunities in housing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1930: An Act authorizing a local affordable housing surcharge

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1930) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation to authorize a local affordable housing surcharge. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local tax surcharge (revenue source) specifically to fund affordable housing programs, directly advancing public service funding through taxation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes local surcharge revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1024: An Act ensuring affordability in perpetuity

This bill requires all low or moderate income housing built under a comprehensive permit to remain affordable permanently, rather than for a limited period. It directly affects developers and housing authorities using Chapter 40B's comprehensive permitting process for such projects. The key provision (added as Section 21A) mandates that affordability restrictions apply "in perpetuity" for these units. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to ensure housing affordability in perpetuity, directly advancing affordable housing goals per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1556: An Act to improve the accuracy of the counting of existing affordable housing stock

This bill amends Massachusetts' Chapter 40B law to clarify how affordable housing is counted. It redefines "low or moderate income housing" to explicitly include federally or state-subsidized housing built or operated by public agencies, nonprofits, or limited-dividend groups. Crucially, it adds that 50% of homes in manufactured housing communities (as defined in Chapter 140) must be counted toward a city or town's affordable housing threshold, using documentation from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities' inventory. This change directly affects cities and towns required to meet affordable housing thresholds under Chapter 40B by expanding the types of housing that count toward that requirement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands affordable housing definition to include manufactured homes, increasing reported affordable housing stock and aligning with affordability goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1576: An Act relative to creating a permanent affordability homeownership program

This bill creates a state program to develop permanently affordable homeownership options for low and moderate income buyers in Massachusetts. It requires that new homes funded under the program maintain affordability for at least 99 years and be part of projects with 1-25 housing units. Funds can only support homes in mixed-use developments if they are permanently affordable for households earning 70-120% of the area median income. The program mandates annual reporting on funded projects, including grant amounts, units created, and affordability levels.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates permanent affordability homeownership program for low/moderate income buyers, directly advancing affordable housing access through development and construction funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 23, 2025

S 958: An Act promoting geographic equity in state-funded housing development

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to track and report on geographic equity in housing funding from 2025-2029. It mandates that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities monitor how state funds for housing development are distributed across all municipalities and counties, including data on housing units, affordability types, accessibility, and funding sources. Reports must detail per capita housing production, unit mixes, and financial assistance amounts, with interim and final reports due in 2028 and 2035. The law directly affects state agencies administering housing funds and local communities receiving housing development assistance. All reports will be made publicly available, excluding unit-level data for projects with fewer than three housing units.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes geographic equity in state-funded housing development, ensuring fair resource allocation to advance affordable housing access across regions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 22, 2025

S 1973: An Act relative to affordable housing and environmental adaptation dollars

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1973) of James B. Eldridge, James K. Hawkins and Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the imposition of an excise tax to provide for climate change adaptation infrastructure and affordable housing investments in the Commonwealth. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax to fund affordable housing and climate adaptation infrastructure, directly allocating new revenue for public programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes excise tax specifically for climate change adaptation infrastructure funding, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated revenue allocation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes excise tax to fund affordable housing investments, directly advancing housing affordability goals per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1558: An Act promoting fair and affordable housing

HD 2978, "An Act promoting fair and affordable housing," prohibits Massachusetts local and state government entities from engaging in discriminatory housing practices. It specifically bans actions that limit housing for families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income, families needing larger units (like those with more than two bedrooms), or based on protected characteristics including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or familial status. The bill allows individuals or the Attorney General to sue for violations within three years, seeking court orders, damages, and legal fees, while clarifying that governments can defend actions by proving a strong, non-discriminatory reason. It directly affects housing decisions by cities, towns, and state agencies regarding permits, funding, and regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title explicitly states 'promoting fair and affordable housing', directly advancing the topic with no opposing language or ambiguity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1529: An Act establishing an affordable housing qualification commission

HD 2259 establishes a special commission to examine recertification practices in Massachusetts' low and moderate income housing programs. The commission will investigate current policies, document management practices, and develop strategies to reduce recertification fraud affecting publicly funded housing. It must include housing officials, legislative members, and housing experts, and submit recommendations by December 31, 2026. The bill directly impacts local housing authorities and the state's publicly financed housing programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to address affordable housing qualifications, advancing policy development in this area90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 1434: An Act relative to funding affordable housing and incentivizing zoning reform

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1434) of Julian Cyr for legislation to fund affordable housing and incentivize zoning reform by imposing a fee upon the transfer of real property interest in any real property situated within the city or town. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes property transfer fee to fund affordable housing, directly increasing state budget allocation for public housing program90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds affordable housing via property transfer fee and incentivizes zoning reform, directly advancing housing development and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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