HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4083        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Christopher J. Worrell

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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 bill:

An Act Resolve to plan, preserve, and protect.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4083        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act Resolve to plan, preserve, and protect.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Resolved, Section 16G.5 is hereby amended by inserting the following after subsection c, the following:-

A city or town may apply to participate in a tenant’s opportunity to purchase pilot program in the manner provided in section 4 of chapter 4 of the General Laws.  The application will be forwarded to the executive office of housing and livable communities for review and selection of specific zip codes that meet the criteria of the Anti -Displacement Pilot Program.

The pilot program shall create regulations and standards for no more than fifteen zip codes to participate. Eligible applicants include: (i) a city or town with zip codes with a high percentage of rental units at no less than 70 per cent; (ii) a displacement crisis measured by evictions and applications for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition; and (iii) a high poverty rate measured by the percentage of people living at or below the federal poverty line.  The office shall promulgate regulations with stakeholders by December 31, 2025, and shall accept applicants by June 30, 2026. The pilot program shall last for 5 years and shall end with the office producing a report that shall address recommendations for improvement, expansion, continuance, or termination.