Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Advances New Housing on Two Surplus State Properties 

Bedford and Bridgewater — The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently received proposals to develop at least 48 new homes on two surplus, underutilized lots; one on the Middlesex Community College campus in Bedford and the other on the Bridgewater State University campus in Bridgewater. The two sites span approximately 6.6 acres of surplus state land, and developers are expected to be selected in the first half of 2026.  

“Our Administration made a commitment to prioritize the redevelopment of underutilized state-owned property for housing to help lower costs for everyone,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These projects will continue the momentum we’ve seen this year, which will result in hundreds of new, reasonably priced homes across the state.”   

“Working together with our Higher Education Institutions and municipalities, we are moving toward new housing at a great pace,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We look forward to realizing the tremendous value these new homes will bring to both communities.”   

These dispositions are taking place using authorization from the Affordable Homes Act signed by Governor Healey last summer, which requires municipalities to permit no less than four units per acre as of right. However, both of these projects have the potential to yield higher density than what is required. The Bedford Select Board has offered a density bonus to permit five units per acre as of right, provided at least 75% of units have three bedrooms, building heights are capped at 2 1/2 stories and units are no larger than 2,035 square feet to increase their affordability.   

In Bridgewater, local zoning aimed at encouraging housing development will enable this project to go well beyond the minimum four units per acre. The strong support of the municipalities and higher education institutions is both a testament to the need for new homes and to their commitment to addressing the housing and affordability challenges they are facing locally.  

“Communities across Massachusetts are stepping up because they’re seeing families and workers priced out of the places they call home,” said Ed Augustus, Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. “In Bedford and Bridgewater, strong local support and thoughtful zoning will help unlock new homes on state land. This is exactly the kind of practical, partnership-driven work that will help us build more housing and bring costs down.” 

“Middlesex Community College is excited to explore housing options for our Bedford community and beyond, working in concert with Governor Healey and our partners at DCAMM,” said Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson. “We take pride in our deep roots in our communities and look forward to seeing what opportunities the development of a no-longer-used parking will yield for housing and growth to enhance the economic and housing landscape of Bedford.”

“Bridgewater State University was pleased to partner with the Governor and state leaders in a critically important and innovative effort to construct new housing for the commonwealth,” 
said Bridgewater State University President Fred Clark. “Our disposition of 106 Hale Street in Bridgewater also aligned with the Bridgewater State University and Town of Bridgewater Master Plans.”  

“The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) real estate team worked closely with the institutions and their host municipalities to craft RFPs designed to yield collectively beneficial outcomes. said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “The responses received for both of these sites reflect that promise and we look forward to making a selection and moving forward.”   

Under the State Land for Homes initiative which launched in June, DCAMM has disposed of five surplus properties via auction and either issued or supported the municipal issuance of four RFPs. Bedford and Bridgewater are the first DCAMM-issued RFPs to move into the proposal review and selection phase of development. More information about each project can be found online at the Bedford and Bridgewater pages. Additional information about the initiative and other projects can be found on our State Land for Homes page, which will continue to be updated as projects move forward.   

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made housing a top priority, starting with the creation of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in 2023. Since then, the Administration has initiated a comprehensive approach that includes passage of the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, implementation of the MBTA Communities Law, creation of the Momentum Fund, the new State Land for Homes initiative to jumpstart housing production on state land, sizable increases in housing tax credits and subsidies and the elimination of renter-paid broker’s fees. As a result, more than 90,000 new homes have been built or are in development since Governor Healey took office.

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