Julia Davidovitz and Joyce Mandell
A pro-housing advocacy group is expanding its staff to accelerate compliance with Massachusetts’ Housing Choice law, which requires 175 communities in eastern and central Massachusetts communities to allow high-density multifamily development.
Abundant Housing MA hired new regional organizers Julia Davidovitz and Joyce Mandell, who will work to build grassroots support in local communities and provide technical assistance on rezoning plans.
A Belmont native, Davidowitz is a former campaign manager for state Rep. Samantha Montaño’s campaign and a former field organizer for the New York City Department of Health. Mandell has a 30-year background in community development and organizing for community development corporations, including her role since 2016 with the Worcester Urban Planning Partnership.
The Housing Choice law requires Massachusetts’ 175 MBTA communities to rezone a minimum of 50 acres for multifamily housing by right at a density of at least 15 units per acre.
Gov. Maura Healey said she will not support communities that try to opt out of the law, and Attorney General Andrea Campbell recently indicated she will enforce the new requirements.
“We need cities and towns to move swiftly on implementation with the strong community support we believe exists, but that is too often drowned out by a vocal minority,” AHMA Executive Director Jesse Kason-Benanav said in a statement.
