This bill proposes the creation of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Fund to assist low- and moderate-income property owners in Massachusetts in constructing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Eligible participants are defined as property owners whose incomes do not exceed 110% of the area median income, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The fund will be managed by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, which may collaborate with designated agencies such as the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund, and the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. These entities are authorized to offer direct financial assistance or engage non-profit organizations to do so.

Funding for this initiative will come from various sources, including government appropriations, private contributions, loan repayments, and investment income. Notably, any remaining funds at the end of the fiscal year will not be transferred back to the General Fund. Financial support from the fund will primarily focus on grants, loans, or other methods necessary for developing ADUs, especially covering significant costs like architectural design, site preparation, and permitting fees. The intention is to provide only the minimum amount of financial aid necessary to ensure the feasibility of ADU projects, with options for low or no-interest financing available. Additionally, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, in partnership with the Executive Office of Economic Development, is empowered to establish regulations and guidelines for the fund's administration.

This bill amends Massachusetts state laws regarding local zoning to impact housing development and housing shortages. The bill prohibits zoning ordinances from banning duplexes or multi-family housing with up to five units in areas with municipal utilities, though reasonable regulations on aspects like building height and bulk are permissible. The bill would increase permissible housing density by eliminating minimum parking requirements for new residential projects and limiting minimum lot size requirements. It supports the establishment of "Missing-Middle Housing Subdivisions," small-scale residential construction under specific conditions without the need for public hearings.

Additionally, the bill mandates zoning regulations to allow mixed-use developments with specified minimum density near public transit hubs, with a requirement for a portion of units to be affordable. It calls for state officials to identify 'greyfields' for potential redevelopment into housing or other uses and stipulates that surplus publicly owned land be prioritized for low or moderate-income housing. Furthermore, the bill restricts local health boards from enforcing more stringent sewage disposal regulations without state consent, streamlining development processes.

This bill allows cities and towns to collect transfer fees on real estate transactions in Massachusetts to fund affordable housing initiatives. Municipalities with affordable housing trust funds can impose fees on property transfers, which support the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. Municipalities designated as MBTA communities must fulfill specific housing requirements before applying the transfer fee.

Municipalities can set the transfer fee rate between 0.5% and 2% of the purchase price, with flexibility for cities, towns, or commissions to decide if the fee is payable by the purchaser, seller, or shared between them. Exemptions apply to certain transactions, including those involving government bodies, trusts, and family transfers. Local authorities are empowered to enforce fee collection, manage disputes, and handle appeals.

This bill introduces the Rural Housing Development Incentive Program in Massachusetts, which aims to promote the substantial rehabilitation of multi-unit residential projects in rural areas. It defines terms such as "certified rural housing development project," "rural housing development project," and "qualified project expenditure." The Department of Housing and Community Development is authorized to designate municipalities as rural areas upon application and evaluate projects for certification. To qualify as a certified project, at least 80% of the units in a substantially rehabilitated property in a designated rural area must be market rate. The department evaluates project proposals and must approve them within 90 days—failure to do so results in automatic 20-year certification. The bill includes a revocation process if project terms are unmet and provisions for recapturing economic benefits.

The bill also amends chapter 62 of the General Laws to offer a tax credit of up to 25% of qualified project expenditures for certified rural housing development projects. These credits can be transferred to other entities and carried forward for up to 10 years, with a cap of $10 million authorized annually, including new credits and carry forwards. Unused credits cannot be rolled over into subsequent years. The Department of Housing and Community Development is obligated to provide an annual report detailing the municipalities with approved rural areas and the specifics of each certified project.

This bill amends Massachusetts state laws regarding local zoning to impact housing development and housing shortages. The bill prohibits zoning ordinances from banning duplexes or multi-family housing with up to five units in areas with municipal utilities, though reasonable regulations on aspects like building height and bulk are permissible. The bill would increase permissible housing density by eliminating minimum parking requirements for new residential projects and limiting minimum lot size requirements. It supports the establishment of "Missing-Middle Housing Subdivisions," small-scale residential construction under specific conditions without the need for public hearings.

Additionally, the bill mandates zoning regulations to allow mixed-use developments with specified minimum density near public transit hubs, with a requirement for a portion of units to be affordable. It calls for state officials to identify 'greyfields' for potential redevelopment into housing or other uses and stipulates that surplus publicly owned land be prioritized for low or moderate-income housing. Furthermore, the bill restricts local health boards from enforcing more stringent sewage disposal regulations without state consent, streamlining development processes.

This bill establishes an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Trust Fund in Massachusetts aimed at providing financial support to low- and moderate-income property owners, whose incomes do not exceed 110% of the area median income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The fund is intended to facilitate the construction of ADUs by offering financial assistance through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. It may be administered by agencies such as the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund, or the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. These agencies have the capacity to disburse funds directly or via non-profit organizations.

Funding for the ADU Trust Fund can be sourced from state appropriations, donations, private contributions, loan repayments, and investment income, among others. Notably, any resources in the fund will not revert to the General Fund at the end of the fiscal year. Financial aid from the fund may be granted as loans, grants, or other forms of assistance to cover expenses such as architectural design, site preparation, and utility or impact fees. The financial support provided is required to be the minimum necessary to ensure the feasibility of an ADU project. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is also authorized to establish regulations and guidelines to effectively manage and implement this fund.

This bill aims to promote affordable housing development through a series of legislative reforms focused on easing construction and land use regulations. Key components include a preference modifier for municipalities actively aligning affordable housing initiatives with local needs, making them eligible for additional grants. To ensure financial viability, it prohibits state commissions from imposing restrictive conditions on residential projects, particularly those built after 1900. The bill reforms the housing appeals process, mandating automatic reviews for appeals boards frequently overturned by the housing appeals committee.

Incentives are introduced for the preservation of agricultural land, granting cities or towns rights of first refusal and implementing a residential conversion fee if such land is repurposed for housing. Housing development standards are updated, including a certification requirement for new units in historic districts to ensure financial feasibility. Support for first-time homebuyers is expanded with enhanced financial assistance programs.

Additionally, the bill sets strict service quality standards for energy distribution companies, requiring improved customer notification and dispute resolution processes, and mandates rapid investigations of complaints concerning multi-family or affordable housing projects. Overall, the legislation seeks to advance affordable housing while balancing state and local regulatory interests and advocating for sustainable land use practices.

The proposed bill seeks to amend the Massachusetts General Laws by introducing Section 55D to Chapter 44, granting cities, towns, and regional coalitions the authority to impose a real estate transfer fee specifically aimed at funding affordable and attainable housing. This legislation establishes a legal framework allowing municipalities or regional affordable housing commissions to levy a fee on real estate transactions within their jurisdictions. The funds generated from this fee will support municipal affordable housing trust funds or regional housing commission funds, with usage focused on acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.

To implement this transfer fee, municipalities must comply with specific criteria, which include aligning with MBTA community housing regulations, appropriating from existing housing-related tax surcharges, and enacting zoning by-laws that promote multi-family housing development. The fee may range from 0.5% to 2% of the portion of the sale price that exceeds a set exemption threshold, with the designated party to the real estate transaction responsible for payment. Certain transactions, such as those between family members, due to foreclosure, or involving housing with affordability restrictions, may qualify for exemptions.

Furthermore, the bill permits municipalities to form regional affordable housing commissions to collaborate on housing initiatives. It also outlines procedures for appealing and enforcing the fee and mandates that municipalities submit annual reports on fee collection and usage to the executive office of housing and livable communities and the department of revenue.

This bill allows cities and towns to collect transfer fees on real estate transactions in Massachusetts to fund affordable housing initiatives. Municipalities with affordable housing trust funds can impose fees on property transfers, which support the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. Municipalities designated as MBTA communities must fulfill specific housing requirements before applying the transfer fee.

Municipalities can set the transfer fee rate between 0.5% and 2% of the purchase price, with flexibility for cities, towns, or commissions to decide if the fee is payable by the purchaser, seller, or shared between them. Exemptions apply to certain transactions, including those involving government bodies, trusts, and family transfers. Local authorities are empowered to enforce fee collection, manage disputes, and handle appeals.