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S 995

An Act relative to the use of credit reporting for rent-subsidized tenants

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Adam Gómez

Massachusetts bill restricts landlords from using credit reports when screening rent-subsidized tenants to reduce housing barriers for low-income applicants.

Accompanied a new draft, see S2982
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Bill Summary · S 995

Legislative bill overview

S 995 restricts landlords' use of credit reports when evaluating tenants receiving rent subsidies or housing assistance. The bill appears designed to prevent housing discrimination against low-income tenants whose credit histories may be negatively affected by past financial hardship. It limits what credit information landlords can consider in rental decisions for subsidized housing applicants.

Why is this important

Credit-based screening has been a significant barrier to housing access for low-income and vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on government assistance. This bill addresses a practical equity issue: tenants receiving subsidies are often those with limited financial resources or past financial crises, yet they may be rejected based on credit scores—even though subsidy programs reduce landlord risk. The policy could expand affordable housing access for thousands of Massachusetts residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord concerns: Property owners may argue that credit reports provide legitimate risk assessment tools and that restricting this data limits their ability to screen tenants and protect their investment
  • Implementation scope: Unclear whether restrictions apply only to initial screening or ongoing tenancy, and whether "rent-subsidized" includes all assistance programs (vouchers, LIHEAP, state housing programs, etc.)
  • Alternative screening methods: Opponents may contend that landlords would shift to other potentially problematic screening criteria (criminal history, eviction records) to achieve similar filtering effects

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

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