Did you know that the average Boston renter spends 47% of their income on rent? And young adults ages 26 to 35 are leaving Massachusetts at the highest rate, with plans to continue over the next five years?
Over the last decade, the high cost of living, demographic and workforce shifts, and long-standing zoning and development laws have compounded the housing crisis. As state leaders seek to keep individuals, students, and families from leaving Massachusetts—and businesses attract a dynamic workforce and lure employees back into the office—housing is a critical part of the solution.
One important lever to address the issue is the MBTA Communities Law, compelling many cities and towns to rezone to meet—or push back against—its requirements. Below is a quick overview:
- Signed into law in 2021 by Governor Baker after a multi-year effort to address the Commonwealth’s severe housing crisis
- Outlines/compels identified cities and towns to implement zoning reforms for new transit-oriented multi-family housing
- 177 MBTA communities are subject to the new requirements (except for Boston)
For a more comprehensive understanding of the Act, we recommend reviewing the helpful primer provided by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
