The process for approving new housing development in communities across Massachusetts is “skewed toward an older, white population with the greatest interest in obstructing new development,” according to a new report assembled by two Boston University researchers and released Wednesday by The Boston Foundation.
New Census data has highlighted what so many renters and would-be homebuyers have struggled with for years: Massachusetts’ housing costs are out of control. This latest data likely isn’t a surprise to my fellow business leaders who have seen firsthand the damage it’s done our state and economy.
The MBTA’s oversight board received a stark warning Thursday morning: Without more state transit funding, plans to build thousands of new homes near train stations will be in peril.
Mortgage rates – which topped out at 5.3 percent last month before sinking slightly to 5.1 percent last week – combined with rising home prices have pushed the traditional 30-year loan out of reach for many.
Gov. Charlie Baker needs to start to make more aggressive use of the bully pulpit to explain exactly why all this new housing – and the zoning reform needed to build it – is absolutely essential. Especially if he wants to preserve his legacy.
Citing housing affordability hurdles that are compounding workforce challenges, one of the state’s largest health care employers is getting behind a proposal to allow cities and towns in Massachusetts to put a new fee on housing transactions.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday took his pen and scissors to the $4 billion federal aid and surplus disbursement bill.
Gov. Charlie Baker is among those disappointed that Beacon Hill Democrats couldn’t agree on a plan to put nearly $4 billion to work across the economy before breaking for the winter holidays. Legislative proposals for the money include hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at housing production and down payment assistance for homebuyers of color.
With billions of dollars in federal pandemic aid burning a hole in its pocket, the state legislature is looking for ways to invest in the future of Massachusetts.
By updating processes, investing in our existing programs and truly prioritizing affordable housing, the next mayor can ensure our housing stock will meet the demands of both current and future residents.
A new analysis of housing production in Greater Boston suggests that, despite the forest of cranes across the area, the region is still well behind targets aimed at meeting the region’s demand for shelter.
The House on Tuesday rejected Gov. Charlie Baker’s request to immediately spend $2.8 billion in federal COVID-19 relief money, including $1 billion on housing initiatives
City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi George outlined proposals to reform Boston housing and development as mayor, including support for an anti-speculation tax and higher minimum affordable unit requirements in multifamily projects.
In an attempt to end the battle over who gets to spend nearly $5.2 billion in federal relief money, Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday pitched a plan that would see him cede much of his control over the aid to the legislature.
If they’re not careful, Gov. Charlie Baker and his hand-picked MBTA general manager could undermine the biggest effort to grow housing production this state has seen in decades.
Earlier this year, the Housing Choice bill passed with robust support from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors and a broad coalition of partners committed to enabling the creation of new housing across the state. Now, we must collectively turn our attention to realizing the opportunity before us.
As Boston Mayor Marty Walsh prepares to leave for Washington, D.C. after seven years at the helm of the state capital, he leaves a legacy his would-be successors should emulate when dealing with development.
A new study of fully-affordable housing developments by economists with online discount brokerage Redfin has found that, counter to popular concerns, affordable housing construction does not hurt nearby property values.
Things are going from bad to worse when it comes to housing production in Massachusetts. And it comes as the dearth of both new and existing homes on the market is starting to push prices, already far too high, to truly insane levels.
