In the face of unprecedented violence and attacks on immigrants, Massachusetts legislators and Governor Healey took action. The PROTECT Act ensures that the rights of all Massachusetts residents are protected under the Massachusetts Constitution and Massachusetts law.
One year ago, Massachusetts made history when a landmark eviction record sealing law was enacted, giving tenants the opportunity to seal eviction records from public view in certain types of cases. Today, we were proud to celebrate the impact of this law – and to launch a new resource to help spread the word so that more tenants can access it.
The shutdown reminded all of America how critical SNAP is. We must protect SNAP to continue ensuring that low-income families can put food on the table.
BOSTON, MA (November 14, 2025) – For the first time in American history, SNAP households did not get their food benefits on time because the Trump Administration refused to use available funds during the government shutdown. 650,000 low-income Massachusetts households were affected by the chaos, uncertainty, and unprecedented delay in SNAP benefits.
Suit challenges DHS, CBP, USCIS for abruptly stripping thousands of immigrants of legal status, work authorization, and benefits without due process.
BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), together with Democracy Forward, is filing a suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and three individuals from Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti, challenging a new policy implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), that abruptly and unlawfully strips immigrants of their parole status and work authorization.
Devenscrest tenants have fought for four years to retain low-cost units in tight-knit development
AYER – The Devenscrest Tenants Association (DCTA) is praising state housing officials, local legislators and the housing advocates of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) for their commitment to enabling an agreement with a new buyer, the Schochet Companies, that will keep families in their homes with rents they can afford. Gov. Maura Healy today announced a funding award that will help to make the transaction possible.
For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Madeline Graf, mgraf@mlri.org , 617-357-0700 ext. 368
Boston, MA (May 7, 2025) – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is pleased to announce that Sue Finegan, Esq., Chair of the Pro Bono Committee at Mintz, will be honored with the prestigious Catalyst for Change Award on September 18th, 2025. The annual award recognizes exceptional leaders in the community who strive for economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people in Massachusetts.
The Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) subsidizes market rate and luxury projects in Gateway Cities. MLRI has published two extensive reports (Review of the Housing Development Incentive Program (“HDIP”) & Update on the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP): a subsidy for market rate housing) documenting the mostly inequitable results of the millions spent on HDIP. Thus far, HDIP has spent $146 million taxpayer dollars on housing targeted to smaller households with disposable income. And as the affordable housing crisis intensifies and federal cutbacks loom, the state may spend up to another $30 million every year to support only higher priced housing - no affordable units. HDIP owners can set rents at whatever the market will bear. In some Gateway Cities the rents, while mostly above market, are somewhat reasonable. But in others, HDIP rents in subsidized buildings are outrageously high as you can see from this sample. MLRI advocates to reform HDIP as a mixed income program - market rate and deeply affordable.
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and 149 Massachusetts organizations are standing together to call on the MA Congressional Delegation to forcefully oppose any proposals that would harm critical federal safety net programs. With Congress considering severe cuts to SNAP, Medicaid (MassHealth), and TANF through budget reconciliation, the 150 organizations urge the Delegation to protect and defend our nation’s vital anti-poverty programs, including:
For Massachusetts residents seeking legal advice and information:
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