State legislators say the new law could support 65,000 new housing units.
A new Massachusetts law signed by Governor Maura Healey will invest over $5 billion to address the housing crisis over the next five years. As Mitch M. Rosenthal writes in Hoodline, the Affordable Homes Act is expected to support the construction or rehabilitation of over 65,000 housing units in the state and supports the modernization of public housing and support for first-time homebuyers.
“Among the policies is a key change allowing accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, under 900 square feet to be built by right on single-family lots, a uniform approach that simplifies what was formerly a mixed bag of zoning regulations.” The administration predicts that property owners will build 8,000 to 10,000 ADUs thanks to the new law, though other obstacles to development could slow their growth.
The law includes provisions targeted at ‘Seasonal Communities,’ towns like Cape Cod where housing needs vary throughout the year. “Moreover, new guidance for responsible contracting has been announced, aiming to protect construction workers on affordable housing projects funded by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities from wage theft and other labor law violations.”
FULL STORY: Massachusetts Enacts Landmark $5.1 Billion Affordable Homes Act to Tackle Housing Crisis
NYC Likely to Legalize ADUs as Part of ‘City of Yes’ Reforms
Homeowners in some neighborhoods could soon be able to build accessory dwelling units in their backyards, garages, or basements.
Project 2025 and Housing Policy
The Heritage Foundation has issued Project 2025, a list of policy proposals for the next Republican administration. On housing, it seems to embody a range of perspectives.
A Survey of Texas Zoning Reform
Zoning changes at the local and state levels are making it easier and faster to build housing.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research