The Massachusetts House and Senate have each passed their versions of the 2026 Economic Development Bill, and the legislation now heads to a conference committee to resolve the differences between the two bills and produce a final version.

This is one of the last major bills expected to pass before the legislative session ends this month and one of the best remaining opportunities to advance significant housing policy this year!

Both chambers included strong housing policies designed to help Massachusetts create the homes we need to thrive. But some of CHAPA’s top priorities passed in only one chamber’s bill, which means the conference committee will decide whether they make it into the final law.

CHAPA is urging the conference committee to carry these three priority housing policies into the final bill:

• YIGBY - Allowing multifamily housing as-of-right on land owned by religious institutions (Yes In God’s Back Yard), reducing local barriers to development while requiring meaningful affordability. (In the House bill.)
• Duplexes - Allowing duplexes as-of-right in every residentially-zoned district across the state. (In the Senate bill.)
• Site plan review - Establishing a statewide site plan review process that replaces today’s town-by-town patchwork with clear standards and firm timelines. (In both bills.)

The House and Senate have named the conferees who will negotiate the final bill:

House

• Rep. Aaron Michlewitz
• Rep. Carole Fiola
• Rep. Michael Soter

Senate

• Sen. Barry Finegold
• Sen. Michael Rodrigues
• Sen. Peter Durant

Building new homes and protecting the affordable homes we already have both matter for the state’s economy. When housing is scarce and costs keep climbing, workers leave Massachusetts, employers struggle to hire, and too many families are left choosing between rent and other basic needs.

Contact your legislators TODAY using this form and ask them to urge the conference committee to include these priority housing policies in the final Economic Development Bill.