The legislature is back from its August recess, and with negotiations underway on the final version of the economic development bill, now is the time to make sure your legislators know that their constituents support duplex legalization and Yes in God’s Backyard.
That’s why we’re giving you the tools you need to contact your legislators and make the case for these critical reforms.
Make the Call Today!
How it works
Step 1: Review “Make the Call” Training Slide Deck
This slide deck includes key information on where these policies stand in the legislative process, the details of each proposal, and the key messages to share with your legislators. More information about duplexes and YIGBY can also be found in the one-pagers below.
Step 2: Review the Phone Call Script
* If no one answers the phone, please use this same script to leave a message.
Hi, is this the office of Representative/Senator ____?
Hi, my name is ____, and I’m a constituent of yours living in ____. I am deeply concerned about the housing crisis and am calling to voice my support for Duplexes and Yes in God’s Back Yard.
Housing is too expensive in Massachusetts. We need to make it easier to build more homes, so that residents aren’t forced to compete against each other for the few homes that are available. Allowing Duplexes by-right and making it easier for faith-based institutions to build housing on land they already own are two practical ways to do that.
Can you urge your colleagues on the Economic Development Conference Committee to support both Duplexes and Yes in God’s Backyard in the final economic development Bill? We need to do everything we can to make housing more affordable!
Thanks so much for your time.
Step 3: Find Your Legislator and Make Your Calls
You can find your legislator and their phone number using the legislature’s official website here.
Step 4: Send a Follow-Up Email
*After calling the offices of your state representative and senator, send a follow up email to ensure that your message in support of more homes is delivered directly to your legislators’ inbox. Below is an example email, but feel free to customize it to speak directly to your experiences.
Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],
I recently contacted your office and spoke with [insert name of staff member], who was very kind and helpful. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the housing challenges facing Massachusetts.
I am writing to ask for your support to legalize duplexes and include Yes in God’s Backyard in the final economic development bill. If passed, these two pieces of legislation would help grow the state’s housing supply.
Legalizing duplexes would develop more affordable housing types everywhere and create thousands of new homes and give more families an attainable option in more communities. Yes In God’s Back Yard (YIGBY) would let religious institutions build multifamily housing as-of-right on land they already own, without the special permits or discretionary approvals that local zoning so often requires. Faith communities across Massachusetts hold significant amounts of underused land, and this policy would help turn it into homes for Massachusetts residents.
I respectfully urge you to support these measures and other efforts that will increase housing production and affordability across Massachusetts.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[City/Town]
Step 5: Let us Know How it Went
Fill out this form to let us know who you spoke with and how the conversation(s) went.
Your legislators need to hear from their constituents. Join us and make your voice heard!