Opinion
Parking Mandates Drive up Housing Costs. Let’s Learn from Others and Eliminate Them
One parking space can add more than $200 to monthly rent. Bring down the cost of production and more dollars go to housing and fewer to parking.
There’s Still Hope for Mass. YIMBY Bill, Despite Zoning Reform Fatigue
There are only a few months left to pass a big zoning reform bill in Massachusetts. And so far, the bill has only gotten bigger.
Forgotten in Boston’s Building Bust: Tradespeople Thrown Out of Work
Thousands of union construction workers are taking part-time jobs or heading to other states thanks in part to Mayor Michelle Wu’s policies. Why doesn’t she take it more seriously?
Delisted Homes Are Coming Back, with a New Mindset
There’s been a jump in the number of houses hitting the market in recent weeks. A number are homes that had been listed without selling because they were overpriced.
Transportation Abundance Belongs in Massachusetts
The Healey administration is on the record as fans of the book “Abundance,” and the movement it spawned. A look in the weeds of transportation issues shows the fruits.
How to Spot Moving Troubles
America used to be a nation of nomads. What hasn’t changed, however, is that people who do choose to move still need help with the heavy stuff.
How New Money Is Transforming the Affordable Housing Landscape
While no bill is perfect and it still only scratches the surface of affordable housing needs nationwide, federal legislation passed last year is a big step in the right direction.
BXP Brings Ray of Hope to Suburban Boston Housing Production
Between office parks it owns in Waltham, Weston and Lexington, the office mega-landlord now has plans to add around 2,300 new homes in the western Route 128 corridor.
Can Mass. Rent Control Foes Get Their Message Out?
The biggest swing factor in the upcoming Massachusetts rent control fight will be how the media covers the ballot question.
MBTA Communities Will Fall Short. But Without It, Bigger Reforms Couldn’t Happen
My research shows the MBTA Communities zoning law will fall short of what’s needed to build enough homes in Massachusetts. But it’s set the stage for further reforms.
Now’s the Time to Tackle High Energy Costs
Property owners, businesses and consumers need real relief. Addressing this issue now will make the dark days of next winter a little bit brighter.
Mass. Needs Honesty About Housing Production
Maybe it’s time elected leaders should try radical honesty about what it will take to build so many homes that prices come down.
Legalizing Starter Homes Is Not Radical. It’s Overdue
A question likely headed for the ballot this fall will speak volumes about who our housing system is designed to accommodate – and who it leaves behind.
Down Payment Assistance Available for Middle-Income Borrowers
Need help coming up with a down payment? It’s there for the asking. And it’s not just for low-income buyers, anymore.
The American Dream Is Wobbling in Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities
They’ve been launching pads for families to obtain a better life. But Massachusetts is neglecting support for homeownership and entrepreneurship.
Do You Have the Right Insurance on Your Home?
Calamity can hit at any time, whether it’s by Mother Nature, a broken pipe inside a wall or some other disaster. But does your insurance match your risks?
Mass. Gateway Cities’ Big Assets Make Big Impacts
Massachusetts’ 26 Gateway Cities are important hubs, cultural centers and seats of government. They also have large sites ready for development and redevelopment.
Springfield Ties Future to Gaming
The MGM casino revitalized an area of the city heavily damaged in a 2011 tornado. It’s now generating millions of dollars in taxes and thousands of permanent jobs.
Can Trump Make Housing Great Again?
Wouldn’t it be better to see our mad emperor channel some of his maniacal energy into the idea of tackling an increasingly dire housing crisis?
Mass. Can Overcome Local Control Arguments with Permitting Reforms
Permitting reforms can still accelerate housing production in Massachusetts this year, while avoiding much of the controversy surrounding state-driven zoning reforms.
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