One year down the line since Governor Maura Healey inked the Affordable Homes Act (AHA) into existence, Massachusetts is witnessing a groundbreaking shift toward accessible housing. Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has proudly announced that the ambitious housing bill has birthed the development of nearly 100,000 new homes, as stated in a report by mass.gov. This plethora of housing units has either been completed or is pacing steadily through the development pipeline.
In a spirited nod to the Governor's actions, "Our administration is delivering on building more reasonably-priced housing," Governor Healey remarked, according to the mass.gov report. A slew of initiatives, such as converting state-owned land and commercial spaces into residential units, coupled with tax credits and the MBTA Communities Law, has fortified the foundation of this housing revolution.
Under the AHA's capacious umbrella, the Momentum Fund—a first-of-its-kind to pour resources into mixed-income housing—has proved its mettle. It pumped life into three stagnant housing projects that are now under construction, touching close to 500 mixed-income units. Secretary of Housing and Edible Communities Ed Augustus underlined the urgency of their mission by stating, "The housing shortage takes away people's power to choose where they want to live, which is why we’ve acted urgently to implement the Affordable Homes Act, build more housing and give choice back to renters and homebuyers" in a report by mass.gov.
Tangible progress has unfolded as witnessed through the recent conversion of two outdated office buildings in Boston, which are now housing nearly 200 units, and foresees the transformation of more vacant commercial spaces in the upcoming months. The State Land for Homes Initiative, another jewel of the administration's initiative, is set to open the floodgates for over 3,500 new housing units sprawling across 450 acres. These reformations present a stark contrast to the pre-Healey-Driscoll era, where homeowners wrestled with cumbersome permitting rules, and renters grappled with inflated broker fees—issues the administration tackled head-on. Now, over 500 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have been approved statewide thanks to a simplified process, while the imposition of unreasonable broker fees on renters has been curtailed, as noted in the mass.gov report.
As reported, the Healey-Driscoll administration is not just constructing towers of hope but is solidifying its foundation by pumping a 78 percent elevation in capital funding for housing, a number that vows to ascend to 91 percent come FY2027. Lastly, the inauguration of Massachusetts' first Office of Fair Housing adds another protective layer to this scaffold, indicating the Healey-Driscoll administration's unwavering commitment to not just building housing, but constructing a framework where fairness and accessibility are not mere tokens but the supporting walls of every home. Mass.gov notes that the Office is gearing up to initiate regional listening sessions shortly, marking another step forward in their stout housing agenda.
