With Massachusetts facing a severe housing affordability crisis, leaders from BlueHub Capital and advocacy groups offered their strong support for H.1473/S.992, legislation to expand housing options in Massachusetts through homesharing, at a Joint Committee on Housing hearing Wednesday. The groups urged lawmakers to advance it this session.
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Dan Cahill and Senator Dylan Fernandes, would establish a statewide legal framework to support homesharing: an arrangement in which homeowners, often older adults, rent out a room in their home to a homesharer, typically a younger resident or worker seeking affordable housing. These mutually beneficial arrangements often include affordable rent and, in some cases, help with basic household tasks like shoveling snow or putting away groceries.
“At a time when housing costs are soaring and about a half million spare bedrooms sit empty across the Commonwealth, this bill creates a clear and thoughtful framework to safely and sustainably match homeowners with people seeking an affordable living arrangement,” said Elyse Cherry, CEO of BlueHub Capital. “If just 10% of those empty rooms were rented, it would be the equivalent of building $25 billion worth of housing — without laying a single brick. We urge lawmakers to advance this bill and help unlock the full potential of homesharing to address our housing crisis.”
BlueHub Capital, Abundant Housing Massachusetts, the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), championed the legislation as a practical, scalable solution that could help boost Massachusetts' competitive edge.
“This is more than just a housing issue, it’s an economic issue. Young professionals are eager to stay and contribute to our economy but they simply can’t afford to live here,” said Cherry. “At the same time, we have a growing senior population who want to age in place but need extra income or help around the house.”
The bill instructs the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to create regulations that ensure clarity for both homeowners and homesharers, and it positions Massachusetts as a leader in innovative, equitable housing solutions.
States like Vermont, Oregon and Maine have already seen success with similar programs, which have improved housing access, reduced isolation among seniors, and allowed younger residents to stay in high-cost areas.
As experts steeped in the housing market, BlueHub is supporting this legislation solely due to the benefits it could bring to the Commonwealth. BlueHub has been working to increase affordable housing stock for 40 years and has financed the creation of nearly 40,000 units of affordable housing across the US.