Why Beacon Hill’s Housing Moves Pass Boston By
Boston’s zoning independence sets it apart as lawmakers upzone the rest of the state. That means some of the state’s most impactful reforms haven’t occurred there, yet.
Why Does Mass. Still Buy Homes?
A third of Massachusetts homeowners skipped a bill to pay their mortgage in the last 12 months. And for many, affording a home purchase is harder than ever. So why do so many people here still want one?
Lost Opportunities for Scaling ADU Construction
Massachusetts leaders hoped for a river of new, small-scale rental units after they legalized ADUs. But local red tape is constraining that flow to a stream.
Researcher: ADUs Hobbled by Zoning ‘Puzzle No One Can Comprehend’
Massachusetts’ accessory dwelling unit success story is being stymied by inconsistent municipal regulations, a new report from The Boston Foundation argues.
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.
MBTA Communities Law’s Upshot: Smaller Projects, Far from Stations
Urban planners’ visions of a high-density housing boom steps from rapid transit service haven’t materialized five years after the adoption of Massachusetts’ MBTA Communities zoning law.
Bargains Elusive for Gateway Cities Homebuyers
Areas of Greater Boston once considered bargains have seen some of the sharpest home-price appreciation over the last 10 years, leaving first-time buyers struggling.
Housing Report Card Gives Mass. ‘Incomplete’ Grade
Massachusetts is unlikely to meet the Healey administration’s goal for 220,000 new housing units’ completion by 2035, according to a new report analyzing the state of the residential real estate market.
Debate Over Healey Housing Numbers Misses the Mark
Instead of arguing over how many homes we’re building, we should measure success by how much we can bring down home-sale prices and rents.
Big Slowdown Ahead in Massachusetts Housing Production, Report Says
State data released in August claims Massachusetts is nearly halfway to its 2035 housing production goal. But a new analysis suggests that pace will be short-lived.
MBTA Communities Law ‘Was Too Effing Complicated’
Housing advocates say the design of Massachusetts’ highest-profile housing reform to date hobbled it from being able to create housing at scale – and might have hurt future moves.
What’s Next After MBTA Communities?
If you follow housing policy, you know Amy Dain. The longtime freelance public policy researcher recently joined Boston Indicators to build on her research into the state’s housing production struggles.
Personnel File – No. 406
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
Addressing Boston’s Housing Shortage, One Small Room at a Time
By allowing SROs to return, Boston can take a meaningful step toward ensuring that everyone – regardless of income – has a place to call home.
Report Argues More Density Needed Across MBTA Network
Despite having one of North America’s most extensive commuter rail and subway networks, Greater Boston has some of the least-dense areas around transit stations, according to a new report.
Top Scholar Says Reality Check Needed on MBTA Communities
Even as proponents of the MBTA Communities Act cheer its high court green light and await forthcoming emergency regulations, they’d like everyone to keep their feet planted solidly in reality about the possible impacts of the sweeping housing law.
Report Says Boston Could Unlock 130K Units with Reforms
Sprinkler requirements for new buildings and advances in fireproof materials mean Greater Boston could unlock 130,000 new housing units near existing subway lines, a new report says.
To Get Real Housing Production, Let’s Break Out the Carrots
It’s become increasingly clear that the MBTA Communities housing law is no silver bullet. So why not make new housing a profit center for towns and suburbs, rather than a perceived drag?
Research Finds Apartment Bans’ Racist Roots
A look back at 100 years of land-use history in Greater Boston raises questions about how much progress the state can make if Beacon Hill continues its extreme deference to local control over certain housing issues.
Report Seeks Zoning Roots of Boston Segregation
A prominent researcher who spent a year combing through archived municipal planning documents, state reports and local media accounts of land-use debates in Greater Boston says it’s clear many suburban areas have used zoning as a tool to exclude for over 100 years.
