Bill > H1548

This bill modifies Chapter 40B of Massachusetts General Laws by creating a new section that changes how municipalities calculate their Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) eligible housing land area. Specifically, when determining whether a city or town has sufficient subsidized housing (which is defined as sites comprising more than 1.5% of total land zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use), certain types of land will now be excluded from the total land area calculation. These excluded land categories include: agricultural land registered under Chapter 61A, forest land registered under Chapter 61B, farmland with perpetual deed restrictions, private cemeteries, and land used for underground and above-ground utilities, including regional gas lines. By removing these land types from the calculation, the bill could potentially make it easier for some municipalities to meet the SHI requirements, as the total land area used in the calculation would be reduced. This change could have implications for affordable housing development and compliance with state housing regulations.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1548