Permissive Zoning Isn’t Enough When the Permit Process Says ‘Maybe’
A project doesn’t have to be denied to become infeasible. Sometimes “maybe” is enough. Massachusetts’ laws allow that to happen far too often.
AG Campbell Declares for ‘Starter Homes’ Question 7
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has endorsed Question 7 on this fall’s ballot, dubbed the “Legalize Starter Homes” initiative.
Healey, Minogue Tout Housing Ideas During WBZ Debate
Both backed the “starter homes” ballot question, but GOP candidate Mike Minogue offered fixes that let towns choose whether to accept new housing.
The SJC’s Latest MBTA Communities Decision Is Bigger Than You Think
The decision gives the Legislature the green light to pursue additional commonsense land use reforms that will help create more homes.
Does Boston Want to Keep Small Landlords from Converting to Condos?
A new push to extend Boston’s tough restrictions on converting apartments into condos would force small landlords to navigate a thicket of red tape.
Cambridge Councilors Seek to Rein in Citywide Upzoning
Cambridge officials took a step towards rolling back the city’s historic 2024 citywide rezoning, which has prompted a backlash from some residents about the scale of recent multifamily development.
Tenant Right to Purchase Bill Closer than Ever on Beacon Hill
Tenant advocates are heartened while landlord groups are steadfastly opposed to TOPA measures included in the Legislature’s sweeping economic development bills.
The Housing Crisis is Urgent and Statewide. The Solutions Should be Too
The Legislature has until January to act, but every month of delay means more families priced out and more slow-walking of the homes the state needs.
How to Keep Gateway Cities Growing
Between inflation, the high cost of borrowing and an immigration crackdown, growth in Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities is slowing. Three ideas can turn things around.
Poll Finds Top Concerns: High Costs, Housing and Taxes
Calling Massachusetts “desirable, but expensive,” sponsors of a new poll say it confirms that affordability issues are the “fault line” shaping views of the state’s future.
Wu’s Tax Breaks Not Enough to Restart Housing, Critics Say
The Wu administration’s latest housing initiative underscored frustration in real estate and housing circles that Boston is falling behind in producing housing.
Want More ‘Gentle Density?’ Process Matters as Much as Zoning
You can pass all the zoning reforms you want, but they won’t make a dent in the housing crisis. Local officials still have too many ways to delay or stop projects.
Moving Development Applications Online Is Tougher Than You Think
In the age of AI, one would think that every municipality in Massachusetts would make it easy to find permitting information online, and then file an application electronically.
Zoning Reform Not Enough to Allow Small Multifamily, Report Argues
Advocates and elected officials should look beyond zoning reform as they try to get more “missing middle” housing built, a new report argues.
Mixed Results for Housing-Endorsed Candidates in Mass. Primaries
A co-founder of the state’s biggest housing advocacy group lost his race for state Senate in Tuesday’s primary elections, but other candidates took home wins.
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?
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.
