Senate Hopes to Legalize Duplexes Statewide in Toned-Down Reform Push
Senate leaders folded major housing policies into an economic development bill, but signaled there would be no standalone housing bill this year.
Prospects Shaky for Cape, Berkshires Real Estate Transfer Fee
Representatives of “seasonal communities” on Cape Cod, the Islands and the Berkshires face steep hurdles to get financing they say is needed for new workforce housing.
Aiming for ‘Bold’ Moves on Beacon Hill
State Sen. Julian Cyr has only chaired the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing since March, but says he’s “been living the housing crisis” for much of his life.
Spilka Eyes Sales Tax Exemption to Encourage Housing
The idea to exempt multifamily projects’ building materials would first be studied by a commission before any changes get formally proposed.
Advocates: ‘We’ll Be Back’ with New Transfer Tax Ideas
In a major win for the real estate lobby, leaders in the state Senate opted to leave out Gov. Maura Healey’s proposal to allow local-option real estate transfer fees on high-dollar property sales to fund affordable housing.
Housing Focus Fuels Optimism Among Transfer Tax Supporters
Hundreds of housing advocates planned a rally at the...
Cape-Goers Urged to Bring Masks, Just in Case
Cape Cod officials are enthusiastic that summer travel season will now unfold with most COVID-19 restrictions lifted by Memorial Day weekend, but they urged vacationers to be patient and pack their masks as business operators face “lots of questions” transitioning out of the crisis.
Truro Officials Trot Out Tired, Racist, Classist Playbook
There may be no region of the Bay State in more dire need of affordable housing than Cape Cod. Yet, Truro officials are putting a modest 39-unit project through the ringer.
Post-Pandemic Cape Could Be More Unaffordable, Officials Fear
“We’ve got a hot real estate market, tenants aren’t able to pay their rent and…there’s no end in sight.”
Chamber Survey Gauges Interest in Visiting Cape Cod
Only two-thirds of travelers surveyed said they would return to Cape Cod this summer, when local officials hope much of the popular tourist destination’s hospitality sector is up and running in some form after pandemic-driven shutdowns.
Cape’s Seasonal Economy on Collision Course with COVID-19
The 15 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are a cornerstone of the local economy for Cape Cod and, with the state still battling the COVID-19 pandemic as summer approaches, a new regional task force is trying to find a way forward for the region.
‘Hub of Lower Cape’ Gets Lift with Infrastructure Grant
The town of Orleans plans to use a new state infrastructure grant to completely rebuild its Main Street, a project that Sen. Julian Cyr says will make “the hub of the Lower Cape” safer and easier to navigate for walkers and bicyclists.
