Massachusetts House and Senate move toward housing goals
Summary
Massachusetts faces a serious housing shortage and needs to build 222,000 new homes by 2035 to meet demand. The state legislature is working on bills that include new measures, such as allowing religious groups to build multifamily housing on their land without local approval, to increase affordable housing options.Key Facts
- Massachusetts must build 222,000 new homes by 2035 to address its housing crisis.
- The new homes must be affordable for people with low and moderate incomes.
- There is a link between the housing shortage and economic challenges, such as people moving out and employers struggling to hire.
- The state House and Senate passed housing-related measures in their economic development bills in July.
- A proposal called "Yes in God’s Backyard" (YIGBY) would let faith-based groups build multifamily housing on up to four acres they own without needing local approval.
- Developments under YIGBY can have up to 30 units per acre, with 20% required to be affordable homes.
- Religious land could support over 60,000 new homes and generate $60 million in new tax revenue if developed.
- Some local officials, like those in New Bedford, are skeptical about the impact of the YIGBY provision.
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