Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-805

OTH 805

Emergency Housing Residency Requirements

Mrs. Dooner and Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:—

“SECTION __. Section 30 of Chapter 23B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following:—

(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, eligibility for the emergency housing assistance program shall be limited to (1) United States citizens and (2) lawfully present immigrants who have maintained continuous legal residency in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the date of application.

(b) Acceptable proof of legal residency must consist of the following two forms of documentation, both issued at least 12 months before the application date:

(i) Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency: A valid U.S. Passport with a Massachusetts address; a certified U.S. Birth Certificate with proof of Massachusetts residency; a valid Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship; or a valid Green Card issued at least one year prior.

(ii) Proof of Continuous Residency in Massachusetts: A filed state income tax return for the most recent tax year; a valid Massachusetts REAL ID issued at least one year prior; or other official documentation, such as a lease, mortgage, utility bill, or pay stub showing one-year continuous residency.

(d) All submitted documentation shall be subject to verification by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in coordination with the Department of Revenue and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Fraudulent submissions shall result in permanent disqualification from the program.

(f) The Executive Office shall promulgate regulations to enforce this residency requirement, including cross-agency verification and fraud detection protocols.”