DHCD Releases Draft Guidelines for MBTA Communities

On December 15, 2021, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released draft guidelines for the new multifamily zoning requirement for MBTA communities. Along with the guidelines, DHCD also posted information about technical assistance, upcoming webinars, the public comment period, and other supplemental information.

Please read CHAPA's detailed summary of the draft guidelines.

Governor Baker signed the new law in January 2021 as a part of an Economic Development Bill. The law requires an MBTA community to have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right around public transit and that meets other criteria set forth in the statute. MBTA communities that do not create a zoning district that complies with the new law will be ineligible for funds from the MassWorks Program, the Housing Choice Initiative, and the state’s Local Capital Projects

DHCD will host an informational virtual webinar on the draft guidelines on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.

The Baker-Polito Administration will be soliciting input and feedback from key stakeholders over the next few months. DHCD will accept public comments on the draft guidelines through March 31, 2022. 

DHCD plans to issue final guidelines in summer 2022.