MA S993

Summary of S.993: An Act Accelerating Housing Production

• Municipalities meeting affordable housing requirements (10% threshold under Chapter 40B) receive preference in state discretionary and competitive grant programs

• Housing Appeals Committee expanded to 5 members and empowered to place local boards of appeals "under review" if 3 decisions are vacated within 5 years, triggering automatic state review of subsequent denials for 2-3 years

• Historic preservation requirements relaxed for residential projects involving structures built on or after January 1, 1900, prohibiting conditions that would prevent reasonable financial return

• First-time homebuyer assistance program expanded to include households earning up to $250,000 annually, with down payment or closing cost assistance of at least $75,000

• Agricultural land conversion to residential use permitted with payment of a conversion fee equal to 5 years of property tax differential, replacing the current first-refusal option for municipalities