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HD 3360

An Act relative to emergency housing assistance residency requirements

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donnie Berthiaume and 2 co-sponsors

Bill adjusts residency requirements for Massachusetts emergency housing assistance, changing who qualifies for state-funded shelter and affecting state versus local funding responsibilities.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 3360

Legislative bill overview

HD 3360 modifies Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program by altering residency requirements for eligibility. The bill adjusts who qualifies for state-funded emergency shelter and housing support based on how long they must have lived in Massachusetts. These changes directly impact which individuals experiencing homelessness can access state emergency housing resources.

Why is this important

Emergency housing assistance determines whether vulnerable populations—including families, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities—can access shelter during crises. Residency requirements act as gatekeepers to these resources, affecting both homeless individuals and local service providers managing shelter capacity and costs. Changes to these requirements shift the financial and administrative burden between state and local governments, and between different groups of people experiencing housing instability.

Potential points of contention

  • Stricter vs. looser residency standards: The bill may either tighten residency requirements (limiting access to reduce state costs) or loosen them (increasing access but raising expenses), each creating different equity and budget concerns
  • State vs. local responsibility: Changing eligibility criteria affects whether Massachusetts or individual municipalities bear costs for assisting people who don't meet residency thresholds
  • Impact on migration and mobility: Stricter requirements could discourage people from relocating to Massachusetts for employment or family reasons, while looser ones might incentivize relocation to a state with generous benefits

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

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