SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) took to Beacon Hill today to testify before the Joint Committee on Housing in support of three bills related to increasing access to housing, ending discriminatory practices in the rental market, and empowering tenants with the right of first refusal. The three bills in question are:
- S.877, An act relative to the use of credit reporting in housing. This legislation adds a new section to Chapter 93 of the General Laws to restrict the use of credit reports when screening tenants, requiring that landlords seeking credit reports obtain consent of tenants, disclose reasons for seeking reports to tenants, and do not require tenants to pay any related charges.
- S.880, An act to guarantee a tenant’s first right of refusal. The bill would permit municipalities to adopt a preservation, anti-displacement, and tenant empowerment tool that can preserve affordable rental housing stock, provide a mechanism for tenant associations to collectively purchase their buildings, and stabilize low-income households.
- S. 1299, An act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants. This bill would limit rent increases to the rate of inflation with a cap at 5% while banning no-fault convictions and clarifying for tenants and landors what would qualify as a legal reason for eviction. The bill would exempt owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, as well as new construction for five years.
As the lead sponsor of S.877, An Act relative to the use of credit reporting in housing, Senator Gomez has been vocal about his experience with housing insecurity and the shortfalls of our shelter system. He had this to say on the bills being heard today, “We all know we are amid a historic housing crisis. Our citizens are facing eviction, displacement, and homelessness. It’s our job as legislators to ensure our constituents have the opportunity to live and grow in safe, thriving communities, and I believe that these tools will enable our municipalities to begin to fight back against this issue.”
For more information on the bills or the legislative process, please contact Senator Gomez’s office by email at Adam.Gomez@MASenate.gov.
