By Bob Katzen
House 145-6, approved a lengthy amendment that consolidated 29 amendments into one. The consolidated amendment includes the controversial section that allows cities and towns to adopt a local tenant right of first refusal for the sale of multifamily residential properties, giving tenants the opportunity to purchase their building after receiving notice of the owner’s intent to sell.
“I was proud to support the consolidated amendment because it directly advances critical initiatives to address our housing challenges and increase much-needed housing stock across the commonwealth,” said Rep. Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), Chairman of the Committee on Housing. “Converting underutilized commercial properties into new housing and streamlining local zoning and permitting are some of the key reforms that provide our communities the tools they need to expand our housing supply, make housing more affordable and allow our hard-working residents to stay in the communities they love. With targeted investments and reforms, this Economic Development bill helps to support our cities and towns, create more jobs, help our current businesses while attracting new ones and unlock economic growth throughout Massachusetts.”
“The consolidated amendment included language around providing tenants the right of first refusal to purchase a residential building should it be for sale, what was previously called TOPA – Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act,” said amendment opponent Rep. Joe McKenna (R-Sutton). “Though it was included [in this bill] as an opt-in local option, which is certainly better than a statewide policy, TOPA is bad policy. It does nothing to create new housing while actually creating a more costly and overregulated climate for property ownership in Massachusetts which will have the effect of driving out investment and reducing the amount of housing that is available. This policy is direct government infringement on private property rights, and will hurt, not help, housing in Massachusetts.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the consolidated amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes