Proposed Federal CRA Changes Would Harm Affordable Housing Production
A new proposal from federal bank regulators would undermine Congress’ big expansion of low-income housing tax credits. This shouldn’t stand.
Don’t Wait for a Megaproject to Start Building Regional Rail in Mass.
We’ve identified 10 no-regrets investments the MBTA should make over five years, helping leverage commuter rail to lower housing costs.
Fewer Immigrants and Higher Rates Cut Competition as Sellers Cave
House hunters are soon likely to see less competition in the market due to a sharp drop in immigration that began last year.
Your AI Doesn’t Have Feelings. Your Real Estate Clients Do
It seems like people of all ages increasingly treat AI software as if it can care, connect and respond emotionally. It cannot. You shouldn’t make the same mistake in real estate.
We’ll Never Have Enough Affordable Housing Until Government Starts Paying for It
Everyone needs housing they can afford. But why do politicians insist developers pay for it, ignoring the basic economics of construction?
Civil Engineering Standards Help Mitigate Flood Risks
Although flood insurance manages the risk of loss to flood-prone properties, it does little by itself to prevent flood damage. That’s where design and construction standards come in.
Developers Should See New Energy Regulations as Opportunity
The most forward-looking real estate leaders see an opportunity to deliver projects that strengthen the bottom line through lower operating costs and enhanced resiliency.
Boston’s Decision Window is Open for Protecting the Waterfront
Boston is on the front line of coastal flooding, facing increasing impacts from sea level rise, storm surge, Nor’easters and frequent nuisance flooding.
Massachusetts Is Falling Behind in Regulating Coastal Risks
The seas are rising. Storms are getting more intense. Flood zones are shifting. We have the tools to see the road ahead, at least partially. The challenge is changing course.
2026 Is Potentially a Landmark Year for Housing Production Policy
This is shaping up to be the year that Massachusetts adopts a wide-ranging set of policies aimed directly at increasing housing production – if the Legislature comes together to pass what’s on the table.
Can the Rest of New England Offer Mass. New Housing Reform Ideas?
No state has found a single solution, but each is testing tools to address the same challenge: Traditional zoning and permitting systems have not produced enough housing.
The Throughline Between Sewer Lines and Housing Projects’ Bottom Lines
In some communities, the sewers are already operating at capacity, seemingly preventing new development from providing fiscal relief. It doesn’t have to be this way.
How Mass. Should Refocus Pro-Housing Efforts, Post-Rent Control
Together, we must decisively pivot away from the rent control ballot question and redirect our energy towards passing more housing reforms on Beacon Hill.
One Year Without Multifamily Parking Minimums: Salem’s Lesson for Mass.
Parking still gets built. And so does more housing and retail space serving the community. This should give the Legislature confidence to act statewide.
Reliable Transportation Is Boosting Our Image
Something happened this summer that probably sounds surprising: Massachusetts’ transportation system worked the way it’s intended, helping carry off a slew of events without a hitch.
Beacon Hill Makes Progress, but Mass. Downtowns Missing Key Supports
The Massachusetts Downtown Initiative is back, but a small additional investment could have a huge impact on communities’ ability to improve their Main Streets.
What We’ve Learned from Cambridge’s Citywide Zoning
Good zoning is only part of the equation. Housing production must strike a balance between affordability, density and urban character.
Why Changes to Mass. Zoning Variance Rules Are Such a Big Deal
More flexible standards and a new requirement to weigh the public benefits of new housing should be a benefit to developers working with difficult sites or towns with outdated zoning.
Solving the Commonwealth’s Housing Crisis Takes Ideas, Big and Small
The state’s 2027 budget included four important changes to how zoning works in Massachusetts – changes that should make permitting housing more straightforward.
The New Face of Flex Development
The definition of flex/R&D space in Massachusetts has fundamentally changed with the advent of climatetech, energy tech, advanced manufacturing and robotics.
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