Housing

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2190: An Act promoting housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1011) of Liz Miranda for legislation to promote housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly strengthens HomeBASE program to promote housing stability for families, directly advancing affordable housing protections and tenant stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1682: An Act relative to zoning for housing production

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1433) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to zoning for multi-family housing production. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill targets zoning reforms to increase multi-family housing production, directly advancing affordable housing supply through municipal policy changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 58: An Act relative to tax credits for affordable housing

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2077) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to tax credits for affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits for affordable housing, a form of tax relief supporting public housing programs and lower-income housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax credits to fund affordable housing development, directly advancing the topic through revenue incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1414: An Act relative to housing production plans

HD 1414 requires cities and towns to develop and get department approval for comprehensive housing production plans. Once approved, municipalities can block housing applications that don’t align with the plan’s goals for up to two years. The bill gives local governments authority to shape development to meet their specific housing needs. It directly affects housing developers and applicants in communities with approved plans.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires municipalities to develop housing production plans to guide development, advancing housing goals through structured local planning.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2260: An Act relative to affordable housing and the preservation of a community's water resources

This bill amends Massachusetts' Chapter 40B housing law by redefining "consistent with local needs" for zoning regulations affecting low/moderate income housing. It explicitly requires that local requirements (like design or environmental rules) must protect water resources or open spaces, apply equally to all housing types, and be reasonable compared to regional housing needs. The definition applies when a community has over 10% low/moderate income housing (per census) or when a project would exceed specific land-use thresholds for new housing construction. This directly affects local zoning boards, developers, and communities determining housing project approvals. The change aims to balance housing development with resource protection while ensuring uniform application of regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires local housing regulations to protect water resources, directly advancing environmental preservation under housing law amendments.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends Chapter 40B to require zoning regulations not to hinder low/moderate income housing development, advancing affordable housing goals while adding environmental safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3372: An Act establishing a commission to study reforms to the low-income housing tax credit program

HD 3372 creates a commission to study reforms for the state's low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program. The commission, including housing officials, legislators, and housing experts, will examine how LIHTC funds are administered, explore ways to streamline projects and preserve existing affordable housing, and recommend improvements to increase transparency and impact. It must hold public hearings and submit a report with findings and recommendations to state lawmakers within 12 months. This bill does not change the LIHTC program itself but sets up a process to evaluate potential reforms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes commission to study LIHTC program reforms, aiming to preserve affordable housing, streamline projects, and increase program impact, directly advancing affordable housing efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1947: 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 government spending on essential housing programs.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds affordable housing via property transfer fees and incentivizes zoning reform to increase housing development, directly advancing housing accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2258: An Act relative to public housing restrictions

HD 2258 requires Massachusetts public housing programs to prioritize applicants eligible for federal assisted housing under 42 U.S.C. section 1436a over applicants who are not federally eligible. It directly affects individuals applying for state-assisted housing in Massachusetts who may not qualify for federal programs. The bill's key provision states that non-federally eligible applicants cannot be given priority or displace federally eligible applicants in the housing selection process. This amendment to Chapter 121B of the General Laws ensures federal eligibility status determines priority for public housing placements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrioritizes federal-assisted housing applicants, strengthening access for low-income tenants by aligning state programs with federal affordability frameworks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2501: An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants

HD 2501 allows cities and towns to adopt local rent stabilization and tenant protection measures. It enables municipalities to limit annual rent increases to the lower of the local Consumer Price Index or 5%, and requires landlords to have "just cause" (like nonpayment, lease violations, or property conversion) to evict tenants. The bill directly affects renters in participating municipalities, excluding owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, new construction (for five years), college dorms, senior facilities, and units subject to public housing regulation. Municipalities must adopt local ordinances within 180 days of acceptance and report annually to the state housing office. The law does not override existing state or federal tenant protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables rent stabilization (5% cap), 'just cause' eviction requirements, and tenant protections directly strengthening tenant rights and affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3756: An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard

HD 3756 (Section 3AA) allows religious organizations (including IRS 501(c)(3) groups or state-recognized religious entities) to build multifamily housing on land they've owned for at least three years without needing special zoning permits or facing unreasonable restrictions. The bill sets density rules: up to 50 units per acre if 20-25% of units are affordable to low/middle-income households (at 60-80% of area median income), with height limits matching existing structures or local zoning. It also exempts qualifying projects from off-street parking requirements if near transit, mandates 15-foot setbacks, and requires compliance with environmental regulations. The law directly affects religious landowners seeking to develop housing, aiming to increase affordable housing options on religious property while maintaining local zoning standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20-25% affordable units (60-80% AMI) for religious org housing development, removes zoning barriers to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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