1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4036 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 65
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Michael S. Day, (BY REQUEST)
_________________
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
proposal for constitutional amendment:
Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to housing.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester, MA
01890
1/17/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4036 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 65
By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by proposal for
constitutional amendment, House, No. 65) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for a legislative
amendment to the Constitution relative to the right to housing. Housing.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 29 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to housing.
A majority of all the members elected to the Senate and House of Representatives, in
joint session, hereby declares it to be expedient to alter the Constitution by the adoption of the
following Article of Amendment, to the end that it may become a part of the Constitution [if
similarly agreed to in a joint session of the next General Court and approved by the people at the
state election next following]:
ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.
1 ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.
2 1.) The Constitution of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is hereby, and thus
3amended, to provide that:
4 Each, and every inhabitant of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has a Right to
5Housing. 2 of 2
6 2.) The provision of this Right, with reasonable, and appropriate equality for all
7individuals, shall be subject to appropriate legislation by the Great and General Court.
8 3.) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall through its appropriate legal authorities,
9provide sufficient, and comprehensive planning, for affordable, well-constructed, and reasonably
10varied housing for all residents. These housing policies, focused on restoration, rehabilitation,
11and new construction of housing units, shall be across all identifiable population groups, without
12discrimination. The creation of such housing, shall be consistently balanced, in such a manner, as
13to appropriately encourage, and if needed, supplement market created housing; balanced across
14the geographical range, and variety of the Commonwealth.
15 The goal of these housing policies, should be to encourage the reasonable safety, and
16good health, of all residents of Massachusetts, to provide respectful living circumstances, assist
17sound economic conditions, and provide fundamental dignity for all residents.
18 4.) Appropriate regulations, partnerships with various levels of government, and
19transparent partnerships with non-public, non-profit, and profit making organizations, shall be
20authorized.
21 5.) These goals shall be accomplished, while respecting appropriate, and reasonable local
22self-government ordinances, and regulations.