Press Release  More Than 100 MBTA Communities Have Approved Multifamily Districts to Create More Housing, Lower Costs

BOSTON — As of this week, the number of communities that have adopted multifamily zoning intended to comply with the MBTA Communities Law has increased to 105 cities and towns. These zoning changes are expected to result in new housing creation, lowering costs across the state. 

Since Monday, town meetings in Belmont, Foxborough, Hopkinton, Manchester by the Sea, Seekonk, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Ashland, Kingston, Millis, and Bellingham approved new multifamily zoning districts. A full list of the 105 communities who have passed zoning intended for compliance can be found on the “Submission Statuses” section of the MBTA Communities webpage. 

“The intention of the MBTA Communities law is to increase opportunities for new housing, which will lower costs for us all, and we commend cities and towns who are planning for the future needs of their residents. Forward-looking communities are not only seeking compliance with the law but working hard to seize this opportunity to create and expand vibrant, affordable neighborhoods that meet the needs of their young families, senior citizens, and municipal workforce," said Ed Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. 

Recent polling identified housing as the top issue for Massachusetts residents and found that a majority (53 percent) of poll respondents support the MBTA Communities Law. 

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has approved 37 communities and is actively reviewing district compliance applications as they are submitted. Compliant communities are now eligible to apply for the new MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, which provides financial support to communities for housing and infrastructure projects. 

MBTA Communities Law Background 

The high cost of housing in Massachusetts is due in part to local exclusionary zoning, which limits the supply of new housing relative to demand, increasing overall housing costs. 

The MBTA Communities Law (Section 3A of the state Zoning Act) was passed near-unanimously by a bipartisan Legislature in 2021 with the intention of removing exclusionary zoning barriers to housing production. The law requires 177 communities to zone for multifamily housing. It does not require development. 

Multifamily district design is a locally controlled process. More information on community categories, deadlines, and zoning requirements can be found here. 

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