8 Bills to Solve our Housing Crisis

We recognize that the following bills are a problem in housing. Massachusetts is facing high costs, limited supply, and outdated policies that make it harder for people to find and stay in stable homes. We believe that these bills fall into our four principles to solve and improve housing: Access, Affordability, Smart Growth, and Diversity. They will increase production, support affordability across incomes, promote climate-smart and transit-connected development, and help create more inclusive communities. Together, these changes will help improve the quality of life here in Massachusetts.

01. S.1021 – Updating and Modernizing Chapter 40R

Sponsor: Senator Pavel Payano

Increases incentive payments directly to municipalities for new housing in smart growth areas and starter home districts, as well as aligning payments with fluctuating housing costs.

Updating & Modernizing Chapter 40R  

02. H.1572 / S.962 – Yes In My Back Yard

Sponsors: Representative Andres Vargas & Senator Brendan Crighton

Allows more multi-family housing, establishes "Missing Middle Housing Subdivisions", increases transit oriented development with affordability requirements, and more options for ADUs.

House: An Act to Promote Yes in My Backyard 

Senate: An act to Promote Yes in My Backyard

03. H.1560 – Establishing a Housing Production Goal

Sponsor: Representative David Rogers

Sets a target for Massachusetts to build 400,000 new housing units by 2040 with a focus on stratified affordability options.

Setting a Housing Production Goal

04. H.1158 / S.737 – Economic Mobility through Matched Savings

Sponsors: Representative Brandy Fluker-Oakley & Senator James Eldridge

Establishes a matched-savings account program for income eligible households with savings targeted toward education, job training, housing, retirement, debt reduction, and credit building.

House: Promote Economic Mobility through Matched Savings

Senate: Promote Economic Mobility through Matched Savings

05. H.2347 / S.1430 – Yes in God’s Back Yard

Sponsors: Representative Andres Vargas & Brendan Crighton

Facilitates multifamily housing on religiously owned land by reforming zoning laws, offering tax incentives, and allowing by-right development with higher density (30-50 units per acre).

House: An Act to Promote Yes in Gods Backyard  

Senate: An Act to Promote Yes in Gods Backyard

06. H.313 / S.176 – Starter Home Zoning Districts

Sponsors: Representative David Vieira & Senator Paul Feeney

Increases incentive payments directly to municipalities for developing new housing in smart growth areas and starter home districts.

House: Starter Home Zoning Districts

Senate: Starter Home Zoning Districts

07. H.2265 / S.1432 – Training for Local Boards & Commissions

Sponsor: Representative Christopher Flanagan & Senator Julian Cyr

Requires the development and implementation of annual training programs for new members of local boards in various sectors across Massachusetts including planning boards and zoning boards of appeals.

House: Training for Local Boards & Commissions

Senate: Training for Local Boards & Commissions

08. H.305 – Improving Housing Opportunities

Sponsor: Representative Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.

Requires multifamily housing in designated areas, standardizes by-right approval for open space residential developments, streamlines site plan reviews, and simplifies planning board decisions by simple majority vote.

Improving Housing Opportunities