SECTION 1.  Any city or town in the Commonwealth may exercise the option of establishing a Veterans’ Preference in selecting buyers and/or renters for 40B housing units, provided that such city or town complies with the conditions provided hereinafter.

Section 2.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts General Laws, 2004 edition, shall be amended by adding after Chapter 40B, Section 21, the following section;

M.G.L. Chapter 40B: Section 21A Veterans Preference

Section 21A.  All government and non-governmental programs that provide funding for M.G.L. Chapter 40B housing shall utilize a lottery process in selecting buyers and/or renters for such housing units, in which all eligible applicants shall participate.  From such lottery, appropriate households will be chosen for occupation in such housing. 

The lottery shall include the following preference categories, which shall be given priority in the order stated:

Disabled Veterans

A household in which one or more members is a disabled veteran at the time of application, is a resident of the city or town, and meets the financial requirements of Chapter 40B. 

Veterans

A household in which one or more members is a veteran at the time of the application, is a resident of the city or town, and meets the financial requirements of Chapter 40B.

Residents of City or Town

A household in which one or more members is a resident of the city or town at the time of application, and meets the financial requirements of Chapter 40B.

Non-Residents

A household in which no member is a resident of the city or town at the time of application, but which meets the financial requirements of Chapter 40B.

Each household must show proper documentation proving veteran status and/or proof of residency and financial need.