Community Workforce Housing and Infrastructure Support Act

An Act to Expand Community Workforce Housing and Strengthen Local Infrastructure SECTION 1. Short Title This Act shall be known as the Community Workforce Housing and Infrastructure Support Act. SECTION 2. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to: Increase the supply of affordable workforce housing near major job centers. Support local infrastructure improvements needed to sustain housing growth. Provide new tools for municipalities to address rising housing costs while maintaining community character. SECTION 3. Definitions For the purposes of this Act: “Workforce Housing” means rental or ownership housing affordable to households earning between 60 and 120 percent of Area Median Income. “Eligible Municipality” means any city or town that has adopted a Housing Production Plan approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development. “Qualified Project” means a development that includes a minimum percentage of units designated as Workforce Housing under guidelines issued by the Department. SECTION 4. Workforce Housing Production Grants The Department of Housing and Community Development shall establish a competitive grant program for Eligible Municipalities to support the construction of Workforce Housing units. Grants may be used for pre-development work, infrastructure upgrades, zoning studies, or direct support for Qualified Projects. Priority shall be given to municipalities demonstrating high housing demand, transit access, or major regional employment centers. SECTION 5. Infrastructure Partnership Fund A new Infrastructure Partnership Fund is hereby created within the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The Fund shall provide matching grants to municipalities for water, sewer, transit-adjacent improvements, or street upgrades directly tied to Qualified Projects. Municipalities receiving funding must submit annual progress reports on implementation and outcomes. SECTION 6. Streamlined Zoning Incentives Eligible Municipalities adopting by-right multifamily zoning within designated smart-growth areas shall receive additional grant priority. The Department may issue technical guidance to assist municipalities in updating zoning ordinances to comply with state housing objectives. SECTION 7. Oversight and Reporting The Department shall publish an annual report to the Legislature summarizing grant awards, project progress, housing units created, and infrastructure improvements supported under this Act. The report shall include recommendations for expanding or adjusting the programs established herein. SECTION 8. Appropriations The sum of $200 million is appropriated for deposit into the Infrastructure Partnership Fund for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. The sum of $75 million is appropriated for the Workforce Housing Production Grants program over the same period. SECTION 9. Municipal Accountability Municipalities receiving funds under this Act must certify that they remain in compliance with all state housing laws, including 40B and the MBTA Communities Act. Failure to comply may result in suspension or termination of funding. SECTION 10. Effective Date This Act shall take effect on July 1 following its passage.