BOSTON - In a significant move to address Massachusetts' housing affordability crisis, the House has passed a $6.5 billion housing bond bill. This decisive action comes nearly 18 months after legislative leaders identified escalating housing costs as a primary focus. The bill, approved by a 145-13 vote, now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
The revised bill significantly expands upon Governor Maura Healey’s initial proposal, adding nearly $300 million in additional borrowing. It introduces new measures such as a local option for tenants to purchase buildings when landlords sell and additional regulations for accessory dwelling units.
Despite these efforts, the exact number of new housing units expected from these reforms remains unclear. The state faces a dire need for approximately 200,000 additional units in the coming years to meet demand. Home sale prices and rents continue to set new records, driving some residents to seek more affordable living options outside the state.
Addressing the Housing Crisis
House Speaker Ron Mariano emphasized the urgency of the housing crisis, stating, “The rents are high, the availability of stock is decreasing, there’s very few homes on the market. So we recognize there’s a problem and the governor spoke well, when she got inaugurated, about the competitiveness issue that she felt we were losing.” He highlighted the challenge businesses face in locating staff due to the lack of affordable housing.
Two Democrats, Milton Rep. William Driscoll and Tewksbury Rep. David Robertson, joined 11 Republicans in voting against the bill. Housing Committee Co-chair Rep. James Arciero of Westford described the legislation as “the largest housing investment in the history of the commonwealth.”
“The residents and citizens of Massachusetts face an unprecedented housing crisis,” Arciero said. “Young families struggle to purchase a home and plant roots in the towns that they love and grew up in. Our vulnerable loved ones look to age in place and live healthy, safe lives with dignity. Workers are struggling with rent, and communities from Boston to Hyannis, Lawrence, Worcester, and Pittsfield are in need of major revitalization for our aging housing stock.”
Senate Faces Key Decisions
The Senate will now tackle critical decisions, including the controversial transfer fee proposal endorsed by Healey. House Democrats dropped this proposal, arguing it would only benefit wealthy communities. Proponents of the transfer fee, including Boston and other municipalities, must now look to the Senate for support.
In addition, the House implemented restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), allowing only one ADU by right per property and requiring special permits for additional units. This measure could generate about 8,000 new housing units over the next five years, slightly lower than Healey’s estimate of 10,000.
MBTA Communities Act Controversies
The House also rejected several proposed changes to the MBTA Communities Act. These proposals included repealing the act and applying it to all municipalities. Rep. Marc Lombardo criticized the act, stating it places a significant burden on communities already struggling with housing issues.
Efforts to amend the act to exempt certain communities or to create an appeals process for municipalities facing infrastructure challenges were also defeated. Minority Leader Brad Jones argued for narrow flexibility, while Democrats like Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne contended that such amendments would undermine the law’s intent to increase housing near transit hubs.
The MBTA Communities Act has sparked significant debate, particularly following a high-profile legal battle between state authorities and the town of Milton. The town rejected a zoning plan compliant with the law, leading to revoked grant funding and a lawsuit from Attorney General Andrea Campbell.
Rep. William Driscoll attempted to introduce an amendment to reclassify Milton’s zoning obligations based on its trolley service, but this proposal was also rejected. Driscoll stated, “This amendment is not meant to exempt the town from zoning obligations as part of the law. It is an effort to right-size and reclassify those zoning obligations for the service that we have today.”
Next Steps…
As the legislative session winds down, the Senate has only eight weeks to draft, debate, and approve their version of the housing bond bill before negotiating a compromise with the House. The decisions made in the coming weeks will be crucial in addressing Massachusetts’ housing crisis and determining the effectiveness of these substantial investments and policy reforms.
In Summary
The $6.5 billion housing bond bill represents a historic investment aimed at alleviating the housing affordability crisis in Massachusetts. While the House has taken significant steps to increase funding and introduce new housing policies, the Senate’s upcoming decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of housing in the state. With the urgent need for additional housing units, these legislative efforts are critical for ensuring that all Massachusetts residents have access to affordable, stable housing.