Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H65 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4036 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 65
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Michael S. Day, (BY REQUEST)
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
12	12	proposal for constitutional amendment:
13	13	Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to housing.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester, MA
17	17	01890
18	18	1/17/2025 1 of 2
19	19	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4036 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
20	20	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 65
21	21	By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by proposal for
22	22	constitutional amendment, House, No. 65) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for a legislative
23	23	amendment to the Constitution relative to the right to housing. Housing.
24	24	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
25	25	SEE HOUSE, NO. 29 OF 2023-2024.]
26	26	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
27	27	_______________
28	28	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
29	29	(2025-2026)
30	30	_______________
31	31	Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to housing.
32	32	A majority of all the members elected to the Senate and House of Representatives, in
33	33	joint session, hereby declares it to be expedient to alter the Constitution by the adoption of the
34	34	following Article of Amendment, to the end that it may become a part of the Constitution [if
35	35	similarly agreed to in a joint session of the next General Court and approved by the people at the
36	36	state election next following]:
37	37	ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.
38	38	1 ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.
39	39	2 1.) The Constitution of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is hereby, and thus
40	40	3amended, to provide that:
41	41	4 Each, and every inhabitant of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has a Right to
42	42	5Housing. 2 of 2
43	43	6 2.) The provision of this Right, with reasonable, and appropriate equality for all
44	44	7individuals, shall be subject to appropriate legislation by the Great and General Court.
45	45	8 3.) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall through its appropriate legal authorities,
46	46	9provide sufficient, and comprehensive planning, for affordable, well-constructed, and reasonably
47	47	10varied housing for all residents. These housing policies, focused on restoration, rehabilitation,
48	48	11and new construction of housing units, shall be across all identifiable population groups, without
49	49	12discrimination. The creation of such housing, shall be consistently balanced, in such a manner, as
50	50	13to appropriately encourage, and if needed, supplement market created housing; balanced across
51	51	14the geographical range, and variety of the Commonwealth.
52	52	15 The goal of these housing policies, should be to encourage the reasonable safety, and
53	53	16good health, of all residents of Massachusetts, to provide respectful living circumstances, assist
54	54	17sound economic conditions, and provide fundamental dignity for all residents.
55	55	18 4.) Appropriate regulations, partnerships with various levels of government, and
56	56	19transparent partnerships with non-public, non-profit, and profit making organizations, shall be
57	57	20authorized.
58	58	21 5.) These goals shall be accomplished, while respecting appropriate, and reasonable local
59	59	22self-government ordinances, and regulations.