Housing Headlines

In an opinion piece for the Boston Business Journal, South Shore Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Peter Forman writes that Gov. Charlie Baker's recent legislative proposal to reduce local approval to change zoning for some types of zoning from 2/3rds vote to a simple majority as "a rare example of turning economic liabilities into opportunities." The South Shore Chamber in recent months as emerged as one of the stronger regional voices on housing, having launched a South Shore 2030 economic initiative that includes a call for 44,000 new housing units in the next 12 years.

Gov. Charlie Baker's proposed legislation to allow cities and towns to adopt certain zoning best practices by a simple majority vote, rather than the current two-thirds supermajority has drawn comment from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, which indicated Baker's Act to Promote Housing Choices is preferable to other zoning proposals it feels would take away zoning control from cities and towns.

BOSTON --- Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler laid out a series of priorities for herself and the Senate on Wednesday, Jan. 3, warning that Massachusetts is at risk of losing its reputation as a national leader unless it addresses its longstanding housing affordability problem. “We live in a state that has led the way on issues of health and wealth for all - yet as long as one family remains unable to afford adequate housing, or one innovative business leaves our state, we all suffer, together,” Chandler said. "“We are in danger of losing the next generation of business innovators and leaders -- and our reputation as a nationwide leader in the innovation economy -- if those innovators cannot afford to live in our state.”

BROCKTON --- Despite the city council's approval of zoning that would clear the way for 175 units on a convent site next to Massasoit Community College, residents against the project immediately filed a citizen's petition aimed at halting the development. To be successful, the petitioners would need to gather signatures from 12 percent of the voters (6,057 signatures) within 20 days of the Jan. 15 deadline.

MASHPEE ---- For the first time, the state has partnered with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on affordable housing. In an announcement on Dec. 27, the state Department of Housing and Community Development announced that it would provide a $1 million grant and state and federal tax credits to support the construction of 42 rental units on tribal land in Mashpee. The funding capped an effort that was over a decade in the making, completing the vision of Alice Lopez, the tribe's first housing director who died in 2011.

BOLTON --- Given the demand for affordable housing in the region and the lack of it in the small town of Bolton, interest is expected to be high for the lottery for a $167,900 affordable condo at Craftsman Village.