In a big move for the future of housing in Massachusetts, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has rolled out plans to transform over 450 acres of state-owned land into 3,500 new housing units. This initiative is part of a wider strategy to tackle the housing shortage and high costs plaguing many residents. In a statement obtained by mass.gov, Governor Maura Healey said, "That’s why I directed our team to find state properties that could be turned into housing. These 450 acres will be turned into thousands of new homes that families, seniors and workers can actually afford."
The available land spans over 20 municipalities, and the effort involves issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for ten sites and auctioning seven sites come September. Ensuring each site is suitable for residential development while also considering environmental concerns, the administration is excluding protected spaces like wetlands and open spaces. According to Governor Healey, the team has been working with the energy of a gale, pushing forward housing initiatives from day one. Projects are already in motion, with more than 1,500 units in progress, further detailed by mass.gov.
Among the projects underway, a notable one involves the Former Boston State Hospital Campus, which is set to bring forth 466 new residential units. Other sites include the redevelopment of the former Veterans Home at Chelsea, an initiative heralded for the creation of 241 units by 2029. Moreover, the redevelopment of a parcel in Roxbury to include 100 units of housing showcases the multi-faceted nature of this endeavor. There's a shared drive to not just build homes but to craft communities that are inclusive and future-proof, as echoed by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, who told mass.gov.
The administration isn't just looking at immediate development but also at potential future sites. Several other parcels, like those at MCI Concord and the former Monson Developmental Center Campus, are set to be revealed soon. Despite the complex dance of land management, agricultural preservation and residential needs are striking a balance. These actions are keeping with Governor Healey's directive to leverage surplus state-owned properties, a fact highlighted by the coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for even more housing potential, as shown on the DCAMM housing website, as mentioned by mass.gov.
It's clear the Healey-Driscoll Administration sees this approach as critical to address both economic and population growth needs while also maintaining the integrity of Massachusetts' natural environment. As Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper puts it, this "whole-of-government approach" is key for creating communities that can thrive without compromising environmental health. Regular updates and additional information on these projects are promised to be made available through the state's channels as the plans unfold over the second half of 2025 and into 2026, as per the details shared by mass.gov.
