Bill > S975

This bill establishes strict residency requirements for emergency housing assistance in Massachusetts, limiting eligibility to United States citizens and lawfully present immigrants who have maintained continuous legal residency in the state for at least 12 consecutive months before applying. Applicants must provide two forms of documentation to prove both citizenship/legal residency and continuous Massachusetts residency, which can include items such as a U.S. passport with a Massachusetts address, a state income tax return, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, utility bills, lease statements, mortgage documents, or pay stubs demonstrating continuous employment in the state. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities will be responsible for verifying all submitted documentation in coordination with the Department of Revenue and Registry of Motor Vehicles, and any attempt to submit fraudulent documents will result in permanent disqualification from the emergency housing assistance program. The bill requires the housing office to develop specific regulations for enforcing these residency requirements, including procedures for cross-agency verification and fraud detection.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S975