When Communities Rise, Justice Follows: MLRI Annual Report 2025
Discover MLRI’s impact in 2025 through our report, When Communities Rise, Justice Follows. 2025 tested the resilience of communities across Massachusetts, but it also showed what’s possible when people organize, advocate, and stand together. From housing and health care to immigration and economic justice, the report highlights the impact of community-driven advocacy and the progress […]
Shockingly high rents in state subsidized HDIP housing
The state has spent or reserved a total of $192.5 million in tax credits for developers of more than 6,500 market-rate and luxury units in Gateway Cities through the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP). Despite the urgent need for affordable housing and as we face federal cutbacks and a challenging state fiscal outlook, the Commonwealth continues to award or reserve up to $30 million annually for HDIP projects. In 2024 and 2025 alone, $102 million was committed – none for affordable housing. The central question we raised in 2024 therefore remains: why is the state spending precious resources on high end housing? We urge the Administration and the Legislature to reform HDIP so that it includes a good share of housing for low-income residents. For further information, see the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute’s 2022 HDIP Report and the 2025 HDIP Update.
Investing in DTA’s Workforce and SNAP Is the Most Responsible Choice for the Commonwealth to Combat Hunger
Protecting and maximizing participation in SNAP benefits low-income residents, grocers, farmers, and our economy. SNAP accounts for $1 of every $5 dollars spent at Massachusetts grocery stores (20% of grocer sales). SNAP improves health outcomes and reduces health-care costs. Maximizing SNAP also protects access to universal free school meals. The Commonwealth can improve payment accuracy while also reducing hunger by investing in DTA’s workforce and connecting all eligible families with very low incomes to SNAP.
Justice Disrupted: Language Access at the Massachusetts Trial Courts
Language access has been a longstanding issue across the United States, including in Massachusetts. When it comes to the court system in particular, there are so many barriers for court users who are limited English proficient (LEP) or Deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH). For everyone to have equal access to justice within our legal system, the Court must provide those who are better served in a language other than English with interpretation and translation services. Our research reveals when court users have and do not have access to language services, where their access to justice is lacking, and changes the Court can implement to address these shortfalls.
This report provides information on the state of language access in the Massachusetts Trial Courts, using a community-centered approach. We embarked on the research for this report in 2023 to ensure continued improvements to language access for court users. By engaging impacted court users, attorneys, and advocates, we compiled our findings to help inform changes at the Court to improve language access and consequently, the court user experience for everyone.
Preserving Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) in Massachusetts
This infographic from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) explains the importance of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) in Massachusetts. NOAH refers to rental housing that is affordable without government subsidies or restrictions. The infographic highlights the significant loss of low-rent units, the threat posed by investor purchases, and effective strategies for preserving NOAH—such as capital […]
Advocacy in Action: MLRI Annual Report 2024
Discover MLRI’s impact in 2024 through our ‘Advocacy in Action’ report. Learn how we’ve championed justice, defended vulnerable communities, and driven meaningful change across Massachusetts. This year’s annual report highlights the incredible strides we’ve made. It also shares stories of resilience and introduces you to some of the passionate advocates who work tirelessly to fulfill the […]
Being Heard
Due to the federal government’s hostile and confusing anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions, many immigrants, regardless of their immigration status, are foregoing medical care. They are afraid to use or apply for MassHealth, or are unsure if their MassHealth coverage has changed. At the same time, Congress is contemplating cutting $880 billion from Medicaid, which could […]
Are 113 affordable units really coming to Fall River?
February 13, 2025 Oct 12, 2024 headline in the Fall River Herald News: “Fall River has 113 new affordable units coming. Where are they and how to get one.” In October 2024 the Mass. Law Reform Institute (MLRI) published a report, Fall River Needs a Balanced Housing Strategy, followed by an article in Commonwealth-Beacon. […]