Administration releases comprehensive statewide housing plan

The Healey-Driscoll administration today released the state’s first comprehensive statewide housing plan — an in-depth analysis of housing needs, with strategies for increasing production and for preserving and upgrading existing housing, addressing homelessness, and using housing as a way to create economic mobility.

The administration said the plan, “A Home for Everyone,” is intended to “increase housing production, meet the unique needs of communities, and lower costs across the state.”

According to the report, the state needs to increase its year-round housing supply by at least 222,000 units from 2025 to 2035 in order to remain competitive and lower costs. Every region of the state needs more homes in order to reach the statewide target.

The plan provides a statewide perspective as well as data and strategies specific to each region in the state, including an analysis of each region’s housing needs over the next 10 years.

“This plan tells us exactly where we need to go and how we can get there, to build hundreds of thousands of new units and make sure that everyone — our teachers, nurses, small business owners, seniors and families — can afford homes in our state,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a prepared statement.

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said the Affordable Homes Act and the MBTA Communities Law are among the tools being used “to really tackle our housing challenges.”

“This work is essential for our state’s competitiveness,” she said, “and it will be good for our communities, workforce, businesses, and quality of life.”

The plan was developed in consultation with the Housing Advisory Council, which the governor established by Executive Order when she filed the Affordable Homes Act. Driscoll served as chair of the council, and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus was vice chair.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, in partnership with the Housing Advisory Council, engaged with more than 3,000 people in developing the plan, including 14 regional listening sessions held across the state last year.

“The rising cost of housing has impacted everyone,” Augustus said. “This plan is the beginning of what will be an ongoing process. We hope that communities will use it as a resource as we continue to work to refine our strategies in the months and years to come.”

The plan assesses the current state of housing in Massachusetts: where it is, where people want to live, what types of housing exist, and what types are needed to meet projected demand. It analyzes housing needs by region, and identifies strategies to shape the state’s approach to housing.

The administration said last year’s comprehensive Affordable Homes Act is expected to create or preserve 65,000 housing units, including through a provision that allows for accessory dwelling units by right. The housing law also increases funding for programs that support first-time homebuyers and creates the Momentum Fund, a new revolving fund to be used to increase development of mixed-income multifamily housing.

Additionally, more than 116 communities have now approved new multi-family zoning near transit under the MBTA Communities Act, and more than 3,000 new housing units are already in the pipeline. Compliant communities have access to the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, which provides funding for infrastructure projects needed to support new housing development.

Healey also increased the Housing Development Incentive Program in her tax cuts package, which has increased housing production in Gateway Cities by 600%.

The statewide plan also calls for:
• Exploring non-traditional housing
• Protecting existing homes and affordability by preserving homes with expiring affordability restrictions and bringing vacant or distressed homes back online
• Providing direct subsidies and increasing access to homeownership for first-time homebuyers
• Preventing evictions and foreclosures
• Enhancing partnerships with employers to better address workforce housing needs

A full digital version of the plan will be launched in the spring and will include an interactive resource center and a production tracking guide.