MHP Names CHAPA Head as New Executive Director
The Massachusetts Housing Partnership has picked CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller to be the organization’s new executive director.
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.
Making Way for New Generation of Housing Leadership
Under Clark Ziegler, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership has become an important financial partner for housing developers and first-time homebuyers. Now, after 35 years he’s handing over the reins.
Mortgage Rates Are Tumbling. Will Anyone in Mass. Benefit?
Massachusetts renters struggle to become first-time homebuyers, but the recent downward trend in mortgage interest rates will help the richest ones most if it continues.
Longtime Housing Leader Clark Ziegler to Step Down
The Massachusetts Housing Partnership announced that after 40 years, Executive Director Clark Ziegler will be retiring at the end of February 2026.
Personnel File – No. 399
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
Healey’s Next Housing Push Can’t Forget Single-Family Homes
Too narrow a focus? That’s the big question about the Healey administration’s efforts to tackle the housing crisis to date, which have been skewed towards apartment projects.
Housing Market Tests New Mortgage Program’s Effectiveness
MHP’s new mortgage product offers new and bigger discounts to low- and middle-income buyers. But without more housing supply, officials say, there are limits to how much it can do on its own.
Gateway Cities Homebuyers Get New, Cheaper Mortgage Option
Low- and moderate-income, first-time homebuyers in Massachusetts’ largely working-class Gateway Cities have a new mortgage option at their disposal that’s designed to make home ownership more attainable.
Infrastructure Used to Raise ‘Significant Hurdles’ for Housing
Officials in some Boston suburbs are turning to water and sewer infrastructure in their quest to obey the letter, but not necessarily the spirit, of the MBTA Communities law.
Local Experts Weigh in on Harris’ Housing Plans
Vice President Kamala Harris has gone further than that feel-good platitude and put a number on her housing vow, saying her administration would build 3 million additional housing units over four years if she wins November’s presidential election.
Personnel File – No. 375
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
Looking Forward Will Maximize MBTA Communities Law’s Impact
With nearly every community complying, there’s still work to be done to make sure new zoning translates to new homes.
No Rapid Path to Housing Boom After MBTA Rezoning
A vital ingredient in generating more housing across Massachusetts is moving forward in several municipalities ahead of an end-of-year deadline. But that doesn’t mean there’s suddenly a silver bullet for housing creation, developers say.
New CRA Rules Could Make Banks More Careful with Growth
After the release of the new Community Reinvestment Act rules last month, community groups say banks must be careful in expanding too fast, and instead should focus on improving lending and investments in low- to moderate-income communities in areas they already serve.
Who’s Still Buying Homes in Mass.?
The net result of today’s market conditions: more affluent buyers, young and old, are now dominating the real estate market across the Bay State.
The type of buyers of single-family houses and condominiums in Massachusetts still fall into four main categories: first-time buyers, trade-up buyers, downsizing buyers and “everybody else.” But within those major categories are major shifts about who’s buying or not buying.
Rent Control Leaves Housing Advocates in a Bind
Housing advocates know a supply shortage is behind our runaway rents. But their two closest groups of allies sit on either side of the issue, and each see the debate in existential terms.
Transit Zoning Won’t Be Enough to Kick Off Housing Boom, Report Argues
A new report from a leading housing advocacy group is urging Massachusetts’ leaders not to rest on their laurels and assume a recent big change in state zoning law will fix the state’s housing problems on its own.
Development Patterns Can Erase Missed Opportunities
Density can be a polarizing term. The word is sometimes even weaponized. But density can be looked at as an important tool for crafting the types of places we enjoy, from affordability to vibrant Main Streets.
SVB Failure Leaves Question Marks for Affordable Developers
Silicon Valley Bank’s failure is creating a potential gap in financing for Massachusetts affordable housing projects and risks for commercial landlords that have a concentration of tech and life science tenants.
