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H 4694

An Act relative to increasing affordable and public housing options

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Cahill

Mass. H.4694 adds housing authorities to the entities allowed to create affordable or public housing under Chapter 40A, broadening collaboration and speeding projects.

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 4694

Summary of Massachusetts H.4694: An Act relative to increasing affordable and public housing options

Overview

House Bill 4694 seeks to expand the tools available to create affordable and public housing in Massachusetts by amending the General Laws. The bill is designed to increase affordable housing options by broadening the entities empowered to create such housing under the state’s zoning framework.

What the bill does

  • Amends Section 3 of Chapter 40A of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition).
  • Inserts, after the word “corporation” in line 57, the following language:
    • “or by a housing authority for creation of affordable or public housing purposes.”
  • In effect, this adds housing authorities to the list of entities that can be involved in the creation of affordable or public housing within the scope of Chapter 40A.

Specific provision

  • Section modified: Chapter 40A, Section 3.
  • Insertion: The bill adds authority for a housing authority to engage in the creation of affordable or public housing, expanding the scope beyond corporations.

Who is affected

  • Housing authorities in Massachusetts (at the local or regional level) would gain explicit authority to pursue the creation of affordable or public housing under Chapter 40A.
  • Municipalities and developers involved in affordable/public housing projects may see broader collaboration options with housing authorities.
  • General public and prospective tenants could benefit from expanded affordable housing opportunities resulting from housing authority-led projects.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: November 6, 2025.
  • Reported favorably by the House Committee on Housing.
  • Referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
  • Note: A new draft of House Bill 1472 was also referenced on the same date, indicating ongoing drafting or related legislative activity, but the substantive change in H.4694 is the addition of housing authorities as eligible entities for creating affordable/public housing.

Potential impact and considerations

  • The amendment clarifies and broadens who can initiate or oversee affordable/public housing projects, potentially accelerating development by leveraging housing authorities’ capabilities.
  • No explicit funding provisions are included in the amendment, so implementation would depend on existing budgets and subsequent appropriations or authorization.
  • Practical impact will depend on how housing authorities utilize this authority and how municipalities respond to increased collaboration opportunities.

Next steps

  • Monitor for further action from the House Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and any floor considerations.
  • Review any accompanying fiscal analyses or amendments that may accompany the bill or its companion legislation.

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

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