HD 847 establishes a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, defining this group to include those in shelters, vehicles, parks, or transitional housing. It guarantees specific rights such as free use of public spaces without discrimination based on housing status, access to medical care (including pandemic-related services), and the ability to vote without requiring a fixed address. The law also prohibits discrimination in employment and housing based on housing status and protects privacy of information shared with shelters. It amends existing anti-discrimination laws (chapters 151B and 51) to explicitly include "housing status" as a protected category.
SD 811 amends Massachusetts law to prohibit discriminatory land use practices that limit affordable housing access. It directly affects local and state government bodies (like zoning boards and housing authorities) by banning policies or decisions that exclude housing for families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income, families needing more bedrooms, or people based on protected characteristics like race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The law allows individuals or the Attorney General to sue for violations, seeking court orders, damages (including punitive damages for intentional discrimination), and recovery of legal fees. It includes limited exceptions where governments prove their actions were necessary for a substantial, legitimate purpose and no less discriminatory alternative existed.
HD 1433 creates "tenant’s escrow accounts" to help rental tenants save for home purchases. Tenants can voluntarily contribute a portion of their rent to these accounts, and landlords may also contribute (with the state matching those contributions). Landlords who contribute can deduct three times the contribution amount from their annual taxable income. The program is administered by the executive office of housing, with funds held in a dedicated "Tenant’s Escrow Fund" that is exempt from certain state financial rules. The bill directly affects renters seeking homeownership and landlords participating in the savings program.
HD 1532 authorizes cities and towns to impose a local surcharge of up to 2% on real estate taxes to fund affordable housing, but only after approval by a two-thirds vote of the local government and voter acceptance via ballot question. The surcharge applies to property taxes (not included in total tax calculations for certain limits) and funds must be deposited into an affordable housing trust. Exemptions include low-income housing, senior housing, commercial properties, and $100,000 per residential parcel. Cities may adjust the rate annually but cannot change it more than once per year, and funds remain dedicated to housing programs.
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.
This bill amends property tax assessment rules to require local assessors to consider recorded restrictions on a property's use when determining its fair cash value for taxation. It specifically affects affordable housing properties that have legal limits on rent or sale prices documented in their deeds. The key change mandates that assessors factor these restrictions into valuation calculations, rather than treating all properties equally under current rules. This adjustment aims to ensure affordable housing is taxed based on its actual restricted use, potentially lowering tax burdens for qualifying properties.
This bill establishes specific rights for people experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. It defines "persons experiencing homelessness" broadly to include those in shelters, cars, parks, or temporary housing, and guarantees their right to use public spaces without discrimination based on housing status. Key provisions include protections against discrimination in medical care (including pandemic services), voting access (explicitly stating lack of fixed residence won't block voter registration), and employment, while requiring employers to consider housing status as a protected category under anti-discrimination law. The bill also mandates reasonable privacy for personal property in public spaces and prohibits harassment by officials. These changes directly affect homeless individuals and require state/municipal agencies and employers to adjust policies to comply.
HD 1742 requires developers planning large-scale housing projects (35+ residential units) to complete and submit a fair housing assessment to the state housing department and local municipality at least 180 days before construction begins. The assessment must analyze the project’s potential impacts on housing discrimination, displacement, and fair housing access, plus detail how the development will minimize harm and actively promote fair housing - defined as affordable, safe, non-discriminatory, and accessible housing. Noncompliance may result in fines issued by the executive office of housing. This bill directly affects developers of major apartment buildings and condominium associations, imposing a new pre-construction review process focused on preventing housing inequity.
HD 1677 amends Chapter 40a of the General Laws to allow housing authorities, alongside corporations, to develop affordable or public housing. This directly affects housing authorities and developers seeking to build such housing by expanding the list of eligible entities under state law. The key provision adds "or by a housing authority" to existing language, broadening who can create these housing options. This policy change aims to increase the number of organizations authorized to contribute to affordable housing development.
This bill creates a new Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. It directly affects tenants in public or subsidized housing by establishing a dedicated office to protect their right to "peaceful enjoyment" of their homes. The office will intervene in legal proceedings to address "hostile environment harassment" (including bullying and mobbing by landlords or communities) and hold landlords accountable. Key provisions define harassment to include non-physical conduct like gossip or isolation, and clarify that psychological harm isn't required to prove a violation. The office will investigate, correct, and pursue accountability for violations of tenants' rights.
