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HD 3937

An Act relative to local preference in affordable housing

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Cahill and 1 co-sponsor

The bill allows eligible Massachusetts municipalities to give up to 70% local residents priority for a portion of affordable housing units, for at least 30 years.

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Bill Summary · HD 3937

Summary: An Act relative to local preference in affordable housing (HD 3937)

Purpose

This proposed Massachusetts bill would authorize certain municipalities to adopt a local residency preference in affordable housing allocations. The goal is to give priority to residents who currently live within the municipality for a portion of affordable housing vacancies, subject to regulatory rules to be set by the state.

Key provisions

  • Regulatory framework: The secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), under authority in §16G.5(a) of Chapter 6A, would promulgate regulations to implement the local preference.

  • Municipal eligibility (population threshold): The local- preference option would be available to municipalities with populations greater than 65,000 and less than 150,000.

  • Residency preference details:

    • Municipalities may prioritize no more than 70% of eligible residents who currently reside within the municipality for vacancies in affordable housing units.
    • The preference would apply for a period of no less than 30 years from the date the tenancy is created.

  • Housing types covered: The preference would apply to:

    • All privately assisted housing, and
    • Any housing subject to inclusionary zoning requirements listed on the municipality’s subsidized housing inventory.

  • Effective date: Regulations implementing these provisions must take effect within 60 days of passage.

Scope and who is affected

  • Affected municipalities: Cities and towns meeting the population criteria (65,000–149,999 residents) would have the option to adopt the preference via the required regulations.
  • Housing providers and developments: The measure would impact privately assisted housing and inclusionary zoning projects within those municipalities.
  • Residents and applicants: In-boundary residents would have enhanced priority for a portion of affordable units, potentially affecting the pool of applicants for vacancies.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill directs the state to create regulations (notates the EOHLC as the custodian of the rulemaking).
  • The regulations would take effect within 60 days after passage of the act (subject to the legislative process completing and the governor's signature, if applicable).

Additional context

  • The text provided reflects House Docket No. 3937 (House No. 1474) as introduced. The status field in the provided information is not specified beyond the introduction date (1/17/2025 for the bill’s filing). The bill would create a regulatory pathway rather than mandating an outright statutory requirement, leaving substantial design details to the forthcoming regulations.

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

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