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H 2255

An Act facilitating approval of inclusionary zoning for affordable housing

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Connolly

Allows municipalities to require a portion of new housing to be permanently affordable based on a local AMI percentage.

Accompanied a study order, see H5352 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 2255

Summary of H.2255: An Act facilitating approval of inclusionary zoning for affordable housing

Overview

H.2255, introduced by Representative Mike Connolly (Cambridge) on February 27, 2025, seeks to facilitate local approval of inclusionary zoning as a tool to create affordable housing. The bill would add a formal recognition and framework for inclusionary zoning within Chapter 40A, enabling municipalities to enact zoning ordinances or bylaws that require a portion of new residential development to be permanently affordable for households with income up to a municipality-determined percentage of the area median income (AMI) as defined by HUD.

What the bill would do

  • Create a clear statutory basis for inclusionary zoning as a type of housing zoning intended to ensure affordable units in new residential subdivisions and multi-unit projects.
  • Allow municipalities to set a percentage of units or net floor area in qualifying developments that must be reserved as permanently affordable housing.
  • Tie affordability to a municipally determined AMI percentage, calculated according to HUD guidelines.
  • Authorize the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to issue guidelines or regulations to implement this provision, with a focus on ensuring that inclusionary zoning does not unduly constrain housing production.

Key provisions

  • Insertion into Chapter 40A, Paragraph 5 (new subparagraph 5):
    • An inclusionary zoning ordinance or bylaw means zoning enacted principally to secure affordable housing in residential subdivisions or multi-unit projects of a size determined by the municipality.
    • A specified percentage of units or net floor area must be permanently affordable for occupancy by households earning up to a municipally determined % of the AMI (as defined by HUD).
    • EOHLC may issue guidelines or regulations to implement this provision, including safeguards to prevent undue constraint on housing production.

Affected parties

  • Municipalities: empowered to adopt inclusionary zoning ordinances/bylaws and determine the affordability percentage and AMI threshold.
  • Developers and project proponents: required to allocate a portion of new housing as permanently affordable in eligible developments.
  • Residents and prospective homebuyers: potential access to permanently affordable units in new housing stock.
  • State agencies: EOHL C to provide guidelines/regulations to support implementation.

Procedural history and timeline

  • 02/27/2025: Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government; Senate concurred.
  • 07/07/2025: Discharged to the Committee on Housing.
  • 07/10/2025: Senate concurred.
  • 09/04/2025 – 09/17/2025: Hearing updates and rescheduling announced (new end times and location adjustments; hearing currently set for 09/17/2025 in various chambers).
  • Related action: HD 2206 (replaces); similar matter previously filed as H.2039 in 2023-2024.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increases the availability of permanently affordable housing within new developments.
  • Provides municipalities with a tool to shape affordability through zoning, balanced by guidelines to avoid unduly constraining housing production.
  • Local control is emphasized through municipally determined affordability percentages and AMI thresholds.
  • Implementation relies on EOHL C guidelines; timing depends on subsequent regulatory actions.

Related information

  • Related bill: HD 2206 (replaces) and prior similar matter H.2039 (2023-2024).
  • Bill type: General Law amendment to enable inclusionary zoning as a local land-use tool in Massachusetts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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