by iwd Tina | Nov 20, 2024 | Housing News
As of November 20, 2024, over 100 Massachusetts cities and towns have passed zoning districts to comply with the MBTA Communities Law. This innovative law aims to address Massachusetts’ housing shortage by allowing modest types of housing, like duplexes, triple-deckers, and low-rise apartment buildings, near transit. These newly approved multifamily zoning districts will bring us closer to the 200,000 homes that Massachusetts needs by 2030 to stabilize housing prices. Many communities took their commitment to housing one step further by using this new zoning to incorporate affordability as well.
“Communities across Massachusetts are overwhelmingly embracing the MBTA Communities Act. They understand that every municipality has a collective responsibility to ensure we are part of fostering a healthy and vibrant Commonwealth,” said Rachel Heller, Chief Executive Officer of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). “Massachusetts needs more homes that families, older adults, and the local workforce can afford, and these MBTA Communities are doing their part by allowing the creation of more of these types of homes.”
For decades, strict local zoning policies limited opportunities for people by preventing the construction of anything other than single-family homes on large lots. With land values skyrocketing, these policies create barriers that leave some people out of the housing market entirely. Through coalition building, broad outreach, and inclusive community engagement, these 100 MBTA Communities have taken meaningful action to address those barriers.
“The MBTA Communities Act is succeeding at the local level because municipal leaders know that more housing is crucial to the future success of the Commonwealth,” said Lily Linke, CHAPA’s MBTA Communities Engagement Senior Manager. “The vast majority of cities and towns are doing their part in allowing the homes that our residents need, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because they recognize that when our neighbors thrive, we all thrive.”
CHAPA’s MBTA Communities technical assistance program has supported 45 of these communities by educating residents about the law, consulting with local planners on community engagement, and supporting local pro-housing coalitions as they worked to pass new zoning. 90% of communities that participated in CHAPA’s program have approved an MBTA Communities District, compared to an 83% passage rate overall.
CHAPA congratulates the planners, advocates, elected officials, consultants, and everyone who helped make this milestone possible. We look forward to continuing our work across Massachusetts to encourage communities to embrace and adopt multi-family zoning.
When we say yes to more housing in our communities, we are closer to the Massachusetts we all want and deserve – where everyone has access to a safe, healthy, and affordable home in the community of their choice.
by iwd Tina | Oct 3, 2024 | Housing News
This week, the Commonwealth launched the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to assist municipalities in meeting the requirements of the MBTA Communities Act.
Eligible municipalities can apply for grants ranging from $250,000 to $1 million to support housing development and infrastructure improvements, focusing on creating multifamily housing within or adjacent to compliant MBTA “3A Districts.” Funds may be used for various activities, including public outreach, engineering, and infrastructure upgrades such as water, sewer, and streetscape improvements. Priority will be given to projects that produce affordable multifamily housing, particularly those with units affordable to households earning below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Mixed-use projects are also eligible, though those with a greater focus on housing will be more competitive. Funded projects must use at least 50% of awarded funds in the first fiscal year, with FY25 projects expected to be completed by June 30, 2026.
This initiative supports the development of affordable housing in key transit areas, promoting inclusive community growth and improving infrastructure to meet future housing needs across Massachusetts.
by iwd Tina | Sep 19, 2024 | Housing News
This week, CHAPA submitted a friend of the court (amicus) brief in support of Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s lawsuit against Milton to enforce the MBTA Communities Act. The brief was filed by Nixon Peabody on behalf of CHAPA and more than 30 organizations and businesses, representing housing developers, local housing coalitions, faith-based coalitions, disability advocates, service providers, business organizations, community development corporations, realtors, and lenders.
The AG’s lawsuit sends a clear message: the Commonwealth’s housing laws must be followed and municipalities play a critical role in allowing the homes that people, our communities, our economy, and the Commonwealth need to thrive.
At a time when people across income levels are feeling the pain of escalating home prices and rents, the status quo keeps Milton’s gates closed. For too long, zoning has been used to say no and to limit opportunities for people. This hurts people, our environment, our businesses, and the competitiveness of the Commonwealth.
The Legislature passed this law to establish the by-right zoning needed to produce multifamily housing. The MBTA Communities Act is one of many housing policies meant to remove barriers to production and facilitate housing development. From Chapter 40B through the Affordable Homes Act’s establishing accessory dwelling units by right in all single-family neighborhoods, the MBTA Communities Act is another tool created by the Legislature to ensure that Massachusetts is a place where everyone can have a home they can afford in the community they choose.
Municipalities have a collective responsibility to ensure we are part of fostering a healthy and vibrant Commonwealth. This includes allowing the multifamily housing we need for vibrant communities where kids can grow up near their grandparents, businesses thrive, renters can become homeowners, and people can stay in the neighborhoods they love.
by Jenna Connolly | Nov 20, 2024 | Housing News
As of November 20, 2024, over 100 Massachusetts cities and towns have passed zoning districts to comply with the MBTA Communities Law. This innovative law aims to address Massachusetts’ housing shortage by allowing modest types of housing, like duplexes, triple-deckers, and low-rise apartment buildings, near transit. These newly approved multifamily zoning districts will bring us closer to the 200,000 homes that Massachusetts needs by 2030 to stabilize housing prices. Many communities took their commitment to housing one step further by using this new zoning to incorporate affordability as well.
“Communities across Massachusetts are overwhelmingly embracing the MBTA Communities Act. They understand that every municipality has a collective responsibility to ensure we are part of fostering a healthy and vibrant Commonwealth,” said Rachel Heller, Chief Executive Officer of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). “Massachusetts needs more homes that families, older adults, and the local workforce can afford, and these MBTA Communities are doing their part by allowing the creation of more of these types of homes.”
For decades, strict local zoning policies limited opportunities for people by preventing the construction of anything other than single-family homes on large lots. With land values skyrocketing, these policies create barriers that leave some people out of the housing market entirely. Through coalition building, broad outreach, and inclusive community engagement, these 100 MBTA Communities have taken meaningful action to address those barriers.
“The MBTA Communities Act is succeeding at the local level because municipal leaders know that more housing is crucial to the future success of the Commonwealth,” said Lily Linke, CHAPA’s MBTA Communities Engagement Senior Manager. “The vast majority of cities and towns are doing their part in allowing the homes that our residents need, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because they recognize that when our neighbors thrive, we all thrive.”
CHAPA’s MBTA Communities technical assistance program has supported 45 of these communities by educating residents about the law, consulting with local planners on community engagement, and supporting local pro-housing coalitions as they worked to pass new zoning. 90% of communities that participated in CHAPA’s program have approved an MBTA Communities District, compared to an 83% passage rate overall.
CHAPA congratulates the planners, advocates, elected officials, consultants, and everyone who helped make this milestone possible. We look forward to continuing our work across Massachusetts to encourage communities to embrace and adopt multi-family zoning.
When we say yes to more housing in our communities, we are closer to the Massachusetts we all want and deserve – where everyone has access to a safe, healthy, and affordable home in the community of their choice.
