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.
Rent Control Foes Get Early Start on Lobbying
It isn’t even on the ballot yet, but real estate interests have started urging mayors and regional chambers of commerce to oppose an effort to revive rent control across Massachusetts.
A Close Inspection of Home Inspections in Massachusetts
Through the advocacy of GBREB and our partners, state housing officials made key revisions to the original regulations in order to make this new policy less restrictive and more feasible.
Wu Claims Some in City’s CRE Sector Back Transfer Tax
Despite vociferous opposition to the idea from trade groups, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told a Beacon Hill committee Wednesday that many in the real estate community actually support her proposed transfer tax on property sales over $2 million.
Rent Control Supporters Lifted by AG’s Ruling
Real estate groups say they will appeal Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s certification of a rent control ballot question.
Rent Control Could Be Headed for 2024 Statewide Vote
Massachusetts residents could have a chance to repeal the state’s 30-year ban on municipal-level rent control measures, following Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s decision to allow a referendum on the topic onto the state’s 2024 ballot.
Redouble the Effort to Support the Community Preservation Act
A few key reforms can help overcome the real obstacle to growing the number of housing units the CPA creates: the lack of local political will to seed new housing that CPA funds can be spent on.
State to Allow Mixed-Use in Transit Zoning, Adds Penalties for Snubs
State housing officials announced Thursday afternoon that they will let Boston-area towns and cities add a potentially controversial requirement for mixed-use buildings to zoning changes designed to comply with the MBTA Communities transit-oriented zoning law.
Legislature Moves to Revive Eviction Protections, Despite Industry Protests
A pandemic-era program that paused roughly 10,000 eviction cases while tenants sought financial aid could return as a permanent tool if Gov. Maura Healey joins lawmakers in support.
Beacon Hill Punts Boston’s Rent Regulation Bill ‘Til Fall
The legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing is in no rush to consider Boston’s plan, which aims to tackle a housing affordability crisis that is afflicting cities and towns throughout the state.
Third Way Needed for Affordable Housing Money
New taxes on real estate sales were a hot topic on Beacon Hill last week, but unfortunately, both sides have it wrong, to one degree or another.
Communities Lobby Beacon Hill for New Transfer Tax
After years of unsuccessful attempts to give cities and towns the option to tax home sales to support local affordable housing, advocates this session are putting forward a new version of the bill with more flexibility for municipalities to choose a plan that works for their community.
Report: Many Mass. Towns Flout CPA’s Housing Requirements
While Beacon Hill searches for solutions to the serious housing shortage that fuels affordability concerns in Massachusetts, a real estate industry organization wants to see the Community Preservation Act program retrofitted to put a greater emphasis on housing production.
Second Chances Riding on GBREB-Backed Eviction Sealing Bill
With a champion for eviction record sealing now chairing the Joint Committee on Housing, tenants rights advocates are feeling a renewed hope for passage of the “HOMES Act” this session.
How to Overcome the Housing Crisis: Build, Build, Build
While the reason for high housing costs – a lack of supply – is broadly understood, the scale at which we’ve failed to meet production needs is stunning when compared to the rest of the country.
Personnel File – No. 326
Who’s on the move? From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s the latest issue of Banker & Tradesman’s Personnel File.
GBREB Launches Anti-Rent Control Campaign
The oldest real estate trade organization in Boston has mobilized against Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposal to cap the rate of rent increases in the city.
How the Healey Administration May Confront the Housing Crisis
Gov. Maura Healey understands the serious, long-term threats the housing crisis poses to Massachusetts. But as she looks to go even further than her current pledges, there are three policy ideas that will make the crisis worse, and which she should avoid.
This Month in History: Margaret Carlson Breaks the Glass Ceiling
Margaret Carlson broke barriers throughout her life: a career-minded woman who started her own business in the 1950s, and the first woman to sit on Boston’s powerful “Vault” committee in 1977.
Council Backs Fossil Fuel Ban for Boston Buildings
Boston took a major step Wednesday toward seeking state permission for a fossil fuel ban in the local building sector when a home rule petition won City Council approval, but it’s possible the request is just headed for bureaucratic limbo.
