News Summary
Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts has proposed significant changes to the state’s environmental review process to expedite housing construction. With a need for over 222,000 new housing units in the next decade, the proposal aims to reduce the review period under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act to 30 days for many projects. As housing prices soar, this initiative seeks to simplify development paths while addressing the escalating housing crisis marked by high costs and limited availability.
Boston, Massachusetts – In a bold move to address the housing crisis in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey has proposed significant changes to the state’s environmental review process. This initiative is aimed at expediting housing construction as the state faces a dire need for over 222,000 new housing units in the next decade to enhance affordability and retain its workforce.
As housing prices soar, Healey’s proposal seeks to shorten the review period under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act to 30 days for many new apartment and condominium projects. Currently, these reviews can extend for a year or more, which raises costs for real estate developers and obstructs project feasibility. By streamlining this process, the Healey administration hopes to simplify the path for developers to bring new housing onto the market.
Massachusetts has seen insufficient housing production to meet burgeoning demand, exacerbated by elevated interest rates and a high cost of living. The escalating housing costs have been labeled as the “single biggest economic challenge” for the state, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. U.S. Congressman Jake Auchincloss has called for more proactive measures to support the swift construction of housing units in the region.
Supporting efforts to tackle the housing crisis, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Communities Act requires local zoning decisions to support multifamily housing developments near public transportation services. This approach aims to synchronize infrastructure and housing development to better serve communities. Furthermore, recent legislation has allowed for the creation of accessory dwelling units by-right in all communities, but advocates stress that further action from the state is necessary to meet housing demands.
Auchincloss has commended the Momentum Fund, a $50 million initiative designed to offer low-interest loans to affordable housing developers, advocating for its expansion to cover a broader scope of projects. He has also suggested rezoning of abandoned brownfield sites and decommissioned properties to facilitate housing development. A more controversial yet discussed “nuclear option” proposes modifying the Chapter 40B affordable housing law, allowing developers to bypass certain local zoning regulations, a move that could rally local municipalities to take action.
Despite the potential for growth, local zoning and planning boards have often resisted fully embracing Chapter 40B due to local pressure. Any alterations to Chapter 40B would require legislative action, although the governor may influence the outcome through regulatory frameworks. Healey’s ongoing efforts include implementing the Affordable Homes Act and exploring additional avenues to hasten housing supply.
Looking ahead, builders in the Boston area are projected to open 8,708 new rental units by 2025. However, this figure represents a decline from previous expectations, with only 49 more units than the prior year’s estimates. Currently, Everett leads the area with a projected 1,555 new units, followed by Boston at 1,243 and Revere at 614.
The struggle for affordable housing is starkly illustrated by findings from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Their “Out of Reach” report reveals that minimum wage earners in Massachusetts would need to work an astonishing 101 hours a week to afford a modest one-bedroom rental, highlighting the need for urgent legislative and community action.
Recently, the Cambridge City Council adopted progressive zoning reforms aimed at eliminating exclusionary zoning restrictions, reflecting a growing trend among U.S. cities tackling affordability issues. The median sale price for single-family homes in Cambridge has recently reached nearly $2 million, while rental prices hover around $2,500 per month. Prior to the zoning reforms, Cambridge had projected only 350 housing units to be built over the next 15 years. New policies now incentivize multifamily housing developments up to four stories and aim to ease stringent parking and floor-area ratio requirements.
As housing construction pressures rise, additional public housing development is deemed necessary to guarantee affordability. Stakeholders, including the Cambridge Housing Authority, are encouraged to take a more active role in public development to ensure that affordable housing options remain accessible amid changing market dynamics.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Bloomberg: Massachusetts Needs 222,000 Housing Units by 2035
- Wikipedia: Housing crisis
- Cape Cod Times: Massachusetts Housing Crisis
- Google Search: Massachusetts housing crisis
- Patch: Boston Builders Are Busy Amid Housing Shortage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urbanization
- ESRI: Massachusetts Maps Housing Affordability
- Google News: Massachusetts housing affordability
- Architect’s Newspaper: Zoning and Cambridge’s Housing Crisis
- Google Scholar: Affordable housing Massachusetts
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