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HD 3363

An Act relative to prioritizing Massachusetts residents on the waitlist for emergency housing assistance

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donnie Berthiaume and 4 co-sponsors

Prioritize Massachusetts residents with 12+ consecutive months on the emergency housing waitlist when space opens, overriding other laws to speed aid for long-term locals.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 3363

Summary: House Bill HD 3363 – An Act relative to prioritizing Massachusetts residents on the waitlist for emergency housing assistance

Overview

HD 3363 proposes to prioritize Massachusetts residents on the waitlist for the state’s emergency housing assistance program. The bill directs the key housing agencies to give priority to individuals who have lived in the Commonwealth for at least 12 consecutive months when space in the program becomes available. The language uses a “notwithstanding” framing, signaling that the priority would apply notwithstanding other laws to the contrary.

Key Provisions

  • Agencies Involved: Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
  • Eligibility for Priority: Residents who have resided in Massachusetts for a minimum of 12 consecutive months and are on the waitlist for emergency housing assistance.
  • Trigger for Priority: When space in the emergency housing assistance program becomes available.
  • Legal Standard: The provision states that the priority applies notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Massachusetts residents on the emergency housing waitlist who have maintained 12 months of continuous residency in the Commonwealth.
  • Administrative bodies: EOHLC and DHCD, which would implement and oversee the priority allocation.

Implementation and Timeline

  • Legislative vehicle: The bill was introduced during the 2025-2026 General Court session (House Docket No. 1506) and filed January 17, 2025.
  • Status: Not specified in the provided materials; if enacted, the bill would require agencies to modify their waitlist processing to reflect the priority rule.
  • Regulatory needs: If enacted, agencies would likely issue guidance or regulations to operationalize residency verification, handling of edge cases (e.g., interrupted residency), and any needed data/tracking systems.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Benefits: Aimed at ensuring long-term Massachusetts residents receive emergency housing assistance more promptly.
  • Implications for others: May affect wait times or admission order for non-residents or those with shorter residency periods.
  • Ambiguities to address: How “12 consecutive months” is defined in practice (interruptions, student status, seasonal workers, military leave, etc.), how residency is verified, and how the policy interacts with existing eligibility criteria.
  • Next steps: Clarification of definitions, anticipated budget or staffing implications, and a concrete implementation timeline if the bill progresses.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s text, which centers on priority for MA residents with 12 months of residency on the emergency housing waitlist. The provided introduction date in the user prompt differs from the bill’s filed date (January 17, 2025) in the official version.

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

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