A housing shortage that one mayor called “an emergency” has spurred a regional initiative in the Boston area to build more residential units.
The mayors of 15 cities and towns close to the Bay State capitol pledged to sharply accelerate the pace of home construction. The goal is to add 185,000 new homes by 2030 in the 15 communities.
Since 2010, just 32,500 housing units have been permitted in the same municipalities, so the goal represents a pace of housing construction that is three times as fast as the region has built over this decade. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh recently increased his city’s new-housing target by 30% to 69,000 additional units by 2030.
The goal of the suburban cities and towns may be difficult to achieve because of resistance from residents worried about the effects on traffic, schools, and quality of life. A bill proposed by Gov. Charlie Baker that would have allowed communities to lower the threshold for zoning changes from a two-thirds approval vote by a local government council to a simple majority failed to get through the state legislature this year. That is an indicator of how tough it is to create new housing in the densely populated municipalities surrounding Boston.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 18, 2021
Congressmen ask Biden to tackle rising lumber costs
Rising materials costs and supply shortages threaten economic recovery, housing starts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 16, 2021
Massachusetts bill would mandate rooftop solar on new homes, commercial buildings
Proposed Bay State mandate modeled on California’s.
Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2021
Nevada may create areas for tech companies to form own governments
Legislation calls for ‘Innovation Zones’ that could become smart cities.
Codes and Standards | Mar 11, 2021
Los Angeles commits to carbon-free city buildings
City will take into account embedded carbon when contracting to buy construction products.
Codes and Standards | Mar 10, 2021
‘Smart retrofitting’ will be crucial to net zero aspirations
AI, analytical software, Internet of Things are keys to decarbonization of built environment.
Codes and Standards | Mar 9, 2021
Salt Lake City is first jurisdiction to adopt new standards for off-site construction
Code Council and Modular Building Institute developing standards and compliance protocols.
Codes and Standards | Mar 8, 2021
Hyperlocal zoning could spur more affordable housing construction
Letting blocks and streets pass their own rules could have impact.
Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2021
Biden builds on Trump’s “Buy American” order
New administration extends preferences for domestic construction materials.
Codes and Standards | Mar 4, 2021
Biden administration overturns Trump’s federal building design mandate
Previous order promoted classical and “traditional” architecture above others.
Codes and Standards | Mar 3, 2021
Texas freeze raises questions about risks of electrifying buildings
Gas stoves helped residents cook, boil water when power went out.