Eviction-Sealing Petitions Pour in Under 2024 Law
More than 400 Bay Staters have filed petitions for their eviction records to be sealed since a new law took effect earlier this month, Sen. Lydia Edwards said Wednesday.
Outreach Begins as Eviction-Sealing Deal Takes Effect
Thousands of Massachusetts residents gained a new tool in the search for stable housing Monday, as a compromise between tenant advocates and the real estate lobby took effect allowing eligible tenants to have their past eviction records sealed.
Personnel File – No. 388
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
Spika Gathers Boston Mayor, Biz Leaders for Commercial Tax Huddle
The two sides warring over Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s property tax shift proposal huddled in Senate President Karen Spilka’s office Thursday afternoon, but emerged with no sign of an agreement.
Boston Tax Shift Plan Faces Turbulence on Beacon Hill
Legislators on the Joint Committee on Revenue pushed Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on her proposal to increase tax rates on commercial property owners to compensate for falling office values.
Senate Passes on Transfer Taxes and MWRA, Keeps ADUs in Housing Bill
State senators Thursday night unanimously passed their version of Gov. Maura Healey’s landmark housing bond bill, which would authorize $5.4 billion in borrowing to spur housing production, without including a controversial measure to tax high-end real estate sales to fund affordable housing.
Advocates: ‘We’ll Be Back’ with New Transfer Tax Ideas
In a major win for the real estate lobby, leaders in the state Senate opted to leave out Gov. Maura Healey’s proposal to allow local-option real estate transfer fees on high-dollar property sales to fund affordable housing.
Crush of Testimony Reflects Seriousness of Housing Crisis
The Healey administration’s plan to supercharge...
Who’s Bankrolling Lawsuit Against North End Hotel?
A lawsuit that’s delayed an $80 million hotel project in Boston’s North End is partly funded by a rival developer who unsuccessfully attempted to buy the site, the hotel developer’s legal team alleges.
Tenants, Landlords Affected By Senate’s Anti-Eviction Amendment
Under a budget rider the Senate approved Tuesday, judges will be instructed to dismiss an eviction claim for failure to pay rent after state aid fully reimburses a landlord, while tenants may only get eviction cases paused if they seek financial assistance “in good faith.”
Ex-Worcester City Manager Tapped as Housing Secretary
Gov. Maura Healey has named former Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus as the state’s first housing secretary in 30 years.
Second Chances Riding on GBREB-Backed Eviction Sealing Bill
With a champion for eviction record sealing now chairing the Joint Committee on Housing, tenants rights advocates are feeling a renewed hope for passage of the “HOMES Act” this session.
HDIP Foes Do Battle with Healey Admin on Beacon Hill
As Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll continue to make their case for expanding the Housing Development Incentive Program, the tax credit faces growing scrutiny over whether it does enough to help the neediest Bay Staters.
Housing Focus Fuels Optimism Among Transfer Tax Supporters
Hundreds of housing advocates planned a rally at the...
New Housing Leader Takes the Reins
With a new legislative session has come new leadership to the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing: Sen. Lydia Edwards. She’s just starting her first full term, but she’s already established herself as a housing policy leader among her colleagues on Beacon Hill.
Bipartisan Housing Caucus Launched on Beacon Hill
It’s one measure of the seriousness of Massachusetts’ housing issues that the leader of the state Senate’s Republicans has joined a caucus co-led by a staunch supporter of rent control.
Time to Reassess Real Estate’s Political Strategy?
As rents soar and evictions loom, it may be time for the real estate industry to radically reassess its lobbying and public relations strategy. For unless something changes drastically in the housing market, rent control is headed for a comeback.
BPDA OK’s North End Hotel Over Opposition from Edwards
Development of an $80 million hotel in the North End received approval from the Boston Planning & Development Agency over objections from Boston city councilor and state Sen. Lydia Edwards.
