HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4064        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 29

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael S. Day, (BY REQUEST)

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying proposal for constitutional amendment:

Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to housing.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4064        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 29

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to housing.

A majority of all the members elected to the Senate and House of Representatives, in joint session, hereby declares it to be expedient to alter the Constitution by the adoption of the following Article of Amendment, to the end that it may become a part of the Constitution [if similarly agreed to in a joint session of the next General Court and approved by the people at the state election next following]:
 

ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.
 

ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.

1.) The Constitution of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is hereby, and thus amended, to provide that:

Each, and every inhabitant of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has a Right to Housing.

2.) The provision of this Right, with reasonable, and appropriate equality for all individuals, shall be subject to appropriate legislation by the Great and General Court.

3.) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall through its appropriate legal authorities, provide sufficient, and comprehensive planning, for affordable, well-constructed, and reasonably varied housing for all residents. These housing policies, focused on restoration, rehabilitation, and new construction of housing units, shall be across all identifiable population groups, without discrimination. The creation of such housing, shall be consistently balanced, in such a manner, as to appropriately encourage, and if needed, supplement market created housing; balanced across the geographical range, and variety of the Commonwealth.

The goal of these housing policies, should be to encourage the reasonable safety, and good health, of all residents of Massachusetts, to provide respectful living circumstances, assist sound economic conditions, and provide fundamental dignity for all residents.

4.) Appropriate regulations, partnerships with various levels of government, and transparent partnerships with non-public, non-profit, and profit making organizations, shall be authorized.

5.) These goals shall be accomplished, while respecting appropriate, and reasonable local self-government ordinances, and regulations.