Press Release  Governor Healey Files Environmental Review Reforms to Accelerate Housing Permitting and Development

Boston — Today, Governor Healey filed final reforms implementing a new streamlined process to make it easier and faster to build homes and lower housing costs. The reforms to  the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office’s review process for housing development make it faster, simpler, and more predictable while maintaining strong environmental protections. The reforms are set to take effect January 30, 2026. 

“When projects move faster, costs go down – and those savings matter,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By shortening review timelines from years to just 30 days, we’re getting more housing built and making life more affordable for families and communities.”

“A strong economy depends on providing people access to housing they can afford,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This whole-of-government approach removes barriers, maintains environmental protections, speeds up housing production, and supports the state’s economic competitiveness.”

Under the streamlined process, housing projects that meet clear eligibility criteria, such as a high percentage of residential use, dense infill development, avoidance of flood hazards, adequate infrastructure, and proximity to public transit can complete review in approximately 30 days. Previously, the process could take a year or longer. The reforms also create a new exemption for certain projects for which MEPA review is required solely because of an appeal of a local wetland order, which has caused additional delays for housing.

By reducing unnecessary delays and uncertainty, the changes are expected to lower development costs and support Massachusetts’ broader housing production goals. The streamlined process implements recommendations from the Unlocking Housing Production Commission’s (UHPC) report calling for more efficient environmental reviews for housing projects, which have historically led to costly and unexpected delays that can risk a project’s financial viability.

In addition to housing, the reforms also simplify environmental review for certain ecological restoration projects with environmental benefits that previously did not qualify for streamlining, such as cranberry bog restoration and partial dam removals. Urban renewal plans and similar planning documents with no other work or project proposed will also be streamlined with a 30-day review process.

“We’re meeting the moment on housing while also making sure important ecological restoration projects move faster as we face more climate change-driven extreme weather,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These reforms ensure we are keeping environmental protections high and delivering on both housing and climate resilience.”

"Any unintended delay in housing development is unacceptable when the state is experiencing a housing shortage. Today’s announcement ensures that priority housing projects receive faster environmental approvals, meaning we can get more new homes on the market quicker, and lower costs for all residents,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “Massachusetts is leading the nation in cutting red tape to make housing more affordable, and we’re using every tool in our toolbox to build more housing for homebuyers and renters across the state.”

MEPA will issue updated forms and guidance, including a revised project notification form with a compliance checklist, and will begin accepting new project filings under the qualifying housing criteria by February 3rd.

Statements of Support

Stephen Davis, President, The Davis Companies, member of Governor’s Housing Advisory Council:

“The Healey-Driscoll administration continues to demonstrate its commitment to meeting the Commonwealth’s desperate need for quality housing by expediting projects that meet stringent quality standards. By speeding the timeline for construction, these reforms will help create more high quality-housing sooner, at a more affordable cost for the residents of Massachusetts. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Administration as we work together to address the state’s housing challenges.”

Rachel Heller, CEO, Citizens' Housing & Planning Association, member of Governor’s Housing Advisory Council:

“The Commonwealth must use every tool at our disposal to help reach the 222,000 homes we need by 2035. The reforms to MEPA's review process will help us create more homes while furthering our sustainability goals and preventing undue costs due to delays. With ever-rising construction costs and rent and home prices, these reforms will ensure we can provide more of the homes we need faster. By providing more homes to address our current shortage, more of our communities, our economy, and our people can thrive.”

Jennifer Raitt, Executive Director, Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, UHPC member: 
“Building for Tomorrow called for a faster, more predictable permitting system, and these MEPA reforms deliver. By setting clear eligibility criteria and shortening review timelines for qualifying housing, the Commonwealth is removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining strong environmental protections and advancing housing and climate resilience.”

Tamara Small, CEO of NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association, UHPC Member:

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has taken an important step to create an expedited pathway for qualified housing projects. NAIOP looks forward to working with EEA, HLC, and the entire Administration to ensure that these regulations help move the needle in addressing housing production goals.”

André Leroux, Director, MassINC’s Gateway Cities Innovation Institute:

“We applaud the Healey-Driscoll administration for responding to the housing and planning challenges in Gateway Cities with these commonsense and impactful reforms. The more we can facilitate reinvestment in our urban areas, the more Massachusetts residents in every region of the state will enjoy balanced and equitable growth.”

David Linhart, Land Use Attorney, Goulston & Storrs, UHPC Member:

“One component of addressing historical environmental injustice is facilitating the production of adequate housing within and near affected communities. The streamlined environmental review process now taking effect reflects this understanding so that projects with a significant residential component can have a smoother runway to approval, without skipping community engagement or appropriate regulatory oversight.”

Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Executive Director, Abundant Housing Massachusetts, UHPC Member:

"We applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for establishing a new streamlined process that will accelerate housing production across the Commonwealth. Lengthy and cumbersome approval processes have been one of the greatest obstacles to building the homes residents need and driving up the cost of new homes for everyone. With these improved regulations, we are one step closer to providing safe, affordable housing for generations of Massachusetts residents."

Emily Haber, President & CEO, MACDC:

“MACDC appreciates the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s efforts to reform and streamline the MEPA Review process for residential projects whose designs have already met the criteria to be unlikely to cause damage to the environment. These reforms will save housing developers considerable time and money that they cannot afford to spare.” 

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