Massachusetts to Develop 450 Acres for Affordable Housing

News Summary

The Healey administration in Massachusetts plans to transform over 450 acres of state-owned land into affordable housing units, potentially creating up to 3,500 new homes. This initiative responds to rising housing costs and includes a diverse set of properties available for development. With a focus on tackling the housing crisis, the administration aims to promote transparency and engage communities in the process. State officials are optimistic that repurposing land could significantly alleviate the housing shortage, despite potential bureaucratic challenges.

Boston – The Healey administration has unveiled a plan to develop over 450 acres of state-owned land into affordable housing units, potentially creating up to 3,500 new homes in Massachusetts. This initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle the rising housing costs that many residents face.

As part of the plan, the administration will make 17 sites available to developers over the next year, which includes a variety of properties like vacant court buildings, hospitals, college facilities, and the former site of the state’s oldest prison. In September 2025, officials will issue 10 requests for proposals along with an auction for seven additional sites. This initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing the pressing housing crisis as indicated by recent polling, which shows that 21% of Massachusetts residents perceive housing as the state’s most significant issue.

Context of the Initiative

Despite Gov. Maura Healey’s prior approval rating of 54%, recent polls show a decrease to 49%. With two Republican candidates preparing to challenge in the upcoming gubernatorial race, the governor has publicly expressed her intent to seek reelection while focusing on housing as a critical challenge. The introduction of the State Land for Homes initiative represents a key element of her administration’s strategy to address the housing crisis.

The available state-owned properties are dispersed across eastern and central Massachusetts and include notable redevelopment projects such as the former Boston State Hospital campus in Mattapan, the former Veterans Home in Chelsea, and the former Department of Unemployment Assistance building in Brockton. Additional properties earmarked for housing development include vacant court buildings in Lowell and Fitchburg, sites at the former Westboro State Hospital and J.T. Berry Rehabilitation Center, as well as locations at Middlesex Community College and Bridgewater State University. Notably, the former MCI-Concord prison site, which closed last year due to a reduced prison population and high maintenance costs, is also part of the program.

Meeting the Housing Demand

State officials have been diligently reviewing potential sites for housing development over the past year, evaluating environmental factors while ensuring that protected lands remain untouched. A report from the Boston Foundation indicates that repurposing just 5% of vacant state or municipal land could create over 85,000 new housing units in Greater Boston. This data underscores the potential benefits of the Healey administration’s housing initiative and the impact that state-owned properties could have on alleviating the housing shortage.

However, the initiative might face bureaucratic hurdles and public opposition, which could impede the proposed redevelopment efforts. The administration is making an interactive map of the available properties accessible online to foster transparency and engagement with prospective developers and the local communities. This move could help mitigate concerns and maximize public support as the Healey administration embarks on this ambitious housing initiative.

As the administration prepares to move forward, the emphasis remains on addressing the urgent needs for affordable housing, especially in light of the increasing demand that many residents face across the state of Massachusetts.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• The Real Deal
• CBS News
• Boston.com
• Realtor.com
• Wikipedia: Affordable Housing