Joint Committee on Housing opens session with testimony on House Bill 65, proposed constitutional right to housing
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Summary
The Joint Committee on Housing held its first meeting of the session and heard public testimony on House Bill 65, a proposed amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution to recognize a right to housing. No committee vote was taken; members scheduled further work on the proposal.
The Joint Committee on Housing convened its first meeting of the legislative session and heard public testimony on House Bill 65, a proposed amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution that would recognize a right to housing.
Sen. Julian Cyr, senate chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, opened the hybrid hearing alongside House co-chair Rep. Rich Haggerty and several House members who attended. Cyr explained the hearing procedures: individuals would have three minutes to testify, panels of three or more would have six minutes, and the committee encouraged written submissions from those unable to attend.
The hearing included two public witnesses who urged the committee to advance the proposal. Vincent Lawrence Dixon of Winchester told the committee he “strongly support[s] a significant proposal behind a constitutional right to housing,” calling the amendment an opportunity to strengthen and codify existing executive initiatives. Dixon referenced the administration’s February housing plan, A Home for Everyone, and said the proposal would “make [housing initiatives] a permanent part of recognizing housing as a right.”
A second witness, who identified herself as Bridal Tetsowiak of South Boston, described lived experience of homelessness and urged lawmakers to adopt a housing-first approach. “When housing is codified as a human right in our state's constitution, it will be vital for your legislature and us as constituents to continue being proactive in ensuring a home for every member of the Commonwealth,” she said, describing shelters and transitional programs including Pine Street Inn and Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
Committee members present included Rep. Ramos (vice chair), Rep. Consalvo, Rep. Diggs, Rep. Labeouf, Rep. Badger, Rep. DeCoste, and Rep. Berthiaume; Rep. Arena DeRosa arrived near the adjournment. Cyr and Haggerty did not take a formal vote on HB 65 at the meeting; instead the session was limited to testimony and introductory remarks with the chair expressing interest in continuing the committee’s work on the proposal.
The committee accepted a motion to adjourn before the hearing concluded. No formal committee recommendation on House Bill 65 was made at this meeting.