Let’s make the case for abundant housing and safer streets directly to Boston’s City Council.
As the Council members continue to debate how best to remove costly parking mandates and make our streets safer, we believe that our advocacy is best utilized by focusing exclusively on Councilor meetings. From October 27 through November 2, Abundant Housing Massachusetts is organizing Boston residents to meet with their City Councilors and advocate for practical policy changes that make our city more affordable, accessible, and safe.
These Lobby Days will be a direct opportunity to share your perspective with local elected officials, build relationships with councilors and their staff, and help move these important policies forward.
No prior advocacy experience is necessary. We’ll help coordinate meetings, connect you with fellow advocates, and provide talking points and resources to help you feel prepared.
Meet With Your City Councilor
October 27 – November 2
Boston City Hall
AHMA will coordinate meetings between Boston residents and members of the Boston City Council from October 29th through November 2nd. We’ll connect you with other advocates, provide talking points and resources, and make sure you’re prepared to advocate directly for these policies.
What Are We Advocating For?
Creating Parking Flexibility for New Housing
Boston currently requires many new residential developments to include a minimum amount of off-street parking, whether or not that amount of parking is actually needed.
Councilors Sharon Durkan, Henry Santana, and Liz Breadon have spearheaded an effort to remove barriers to building through parking reform. The proposal has already been discussed at two City Council hearings and currently remains in committee.
Ending parking minimums does not ban parking or prevent new developments from including it. Instead, it allows homebuilders to determine how much parking makes sense based on the needs of a particular project.
Parking is expensive to build and maintain, and those costs can ultimately contribute to higher housing costs. Excessive parking requirements can also use land that could otherwise support additional homes, green space, or community amenities.
We’re asking the Boston City Council to move parking reform forward.
Increase Accountability for Safe Streets
We’re also supporting an ordinance introduced by Councilors Enrique Pepén, Liz Breadon, and Ben Weber that would require the City of Boston to provide annual public updates on street projects.
Residents deserve to know whether projects designed to make our streets safer are actually moving forward. Regular public reporting would provide a clearer picture of the City’s progress and strengthen accountability as Boston works to create streets that are safer for everyone; whether they walk, bike, take transit, or drive.
