Housing (Tenant Rights)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3179: An Act to plan, preserve, and protect

This bill creates a 5-year pilot program allowing cities and towns to apply for participation in a "tenant opportunity to purchase" initiative. It directly affects municipalities meeting specific criteria: those with at least 70% rental units, high eviction rates or Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFIT) applications, and high poverty rates. Eligible cities must apply through the Executive Office of Housing by June 2026, with up to 15 zip codes selected to test new regulations developed by the office by December 2025. The program requires annual reporting and will conclude with a final report evaluating its effectiveness for future expansion or termination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tenant opportunity to purchase program in high-rent/eviction areas, directly protecting tenants and advancing affordable housing access through municipal pilot initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4306: An Act to reform, dissolve and recreate the housing authorities and end housing choice and benefit racial discrimination

HD 4306 proposes to reform Massachusetts housing authorities by dissolving current agencies and creating new ones to end racial discrimination in housing choices and benefits. The bill requires housing authorities to prioritize and expedite housing for displaced families, the elderly, and people with disabilities - groups currently left homeless due to mismanagement of state and federal rehousing funds. It mandates that housing authorities stop using allocated funds for excessive staff salaries and instead use these resources immediately to rehouse vulnerable residents. The bill aims to ensure taxpayer funds are directed toward ending homelessness, rather than perpetuating systemic neglect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnds racial discrimination in housing, prioritizes vulnerable groups (homeless, elderly, disabled), and redirects funds from excessive salaries to housing programs, directly advancing affordable housing and tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2669: An Act enabling local options for tenant protections

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to allow individual cities and towns to create their own laws regarding tenant protections. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables local cities/towns to create tenant protection laws, strengthening housing tenant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 1, 2025

H 65: Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to housing

By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by proposal for constitutional amendment, House, No. 65) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to the right to housing. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill proposes constitutional right to housing, directly advancing housing access and protections as a legal entitlement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1521: An Act ensuring continued rights for public housing residents

This bill (HD 3703) protects current public housing residents in Massachusetts during project transfers or redevelopment. It requires that tenants maintain all original rights under federal, state, and local subsidy programs - including lease terms, eviction protections, and privacy rights - unless necessary for financing or program eligibility. The law prohibits re-screening existing tenants, reducing their assistance, or displacing them from affordable housing, and mandates that redevelopment preserves the same number of low-rent units. Housing authorities must implement these protections through contracts detailing tenant input processes, monitoring compliance, and ensuring no displacement occurs, with tenants able to enforce these terms as third-party beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill ensures continued rights for public housing residents, directly protecting tenant protections in affordable housing as per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 957: An Act relative to improve access to rental assistance programs

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 957) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to improve access to rental assistance programs. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to improve access to rental assistance programs, directly advancing affordable housing access for tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3127: An Act providing tax relief for rent-burdened individuals and families

HD 3696 creates a new tax deduction for Massachusetts renters who pay rent for their primary residence and meet income limits. It allows eligible individuals or households to deduct 50% of their rent, capped at $4,100 annually (adjusted yearly for inflation), but only if household income does not exceed 100% of the local area median income (AMGI) defined by HUD. The deduction applies to single filers, heads of household, and married couples filing jointly for tax years beginning January 1, 2022, or later. This policy directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters in Massachusetts who qualify under the income threshold.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for rent-burdened individuals via rental payment tax deduction, directly supporting lower-income tax relief under Budget & Taxes95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax deduction for rental payments to relieve rent burden, directly supporting affordable housing access for low-income renters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3260: An Act allowing for a tax credit for rent paid on the personal residence of the taxpayer

This bill creates a state tax credit for Massachusetts renters whose rent exceeds 30% of their gross income. It provides a credit equal to a percentage of the excess rent, based on income: 100% for under $25,000, 75% for $25k-$50k, 50% for $50k-$75k, 25% for $75k-$100k, and a $3,000 maximum for higher earners. The credit applies only to rent paid for a primary residence in Massachusetts, including utilities (capped at HUD's fair market rent plus 25%). The credit takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for rent, offering relief to renters (likely middle/lower income), aligning with tax relief indicators for budget/tax support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax credit for rent payments directly increases affordability for tenants, aligning with housing support indicators like financial assistance for housing costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1494: An Act relative to improve access to rental assistance programs

HD 4092 requires Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing to create regulations by January 1, 2024, allowing landlords to apply for rental assistance programs on behalf of their tenants. This directly affects tenants eligible for programs like the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, Alternative Housing Voucher Program, and Rental Assistance for Families in Transition. The key provision mandates that housing authorities and contracted agencies accept these landlord-submitted applications for rental assistance. The bill aims to simplify access to housing support by removing a barrier that previously required tenants to apply directly.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to improve access to rental assistance programs, directly advancing affordable housing support for tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1554: An Act to secure housing for returning citizens

HD 2987 creates a state program to help formerly incarcerated people secure housing. The Department of Housing will coordinate a "reentry and formerly incarcerated persons program" requiring agencies to provide housing assistance before and after release, including financial support like housing vouchers. The bill mandates annual reviews of housing programs to track who benefits (using demographic data) and improve services based on feedback from formerly incarcerated people. It also adds priority preferences for this group in multiple state-funded housing initiatives, including affordable housing projects and public housing developments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides housing programs for formerly incarcerated persons, reducing recidivism and supporting reentry - key criminal justice reform measure.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates housing programs for formerly incarcerated persons, advancing access to affordable housing through Department initiatives and priorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homelessness Tenant Rights

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