If signed by Governor Healey, Massachusetts would have the strongest statewide ADU law in New England.
Boston, Massachusetts – Today, the Massachusetts Senate adopted a proposed $5.2 billion Housing Bond Bill, formally known as the Affordable Homes Act proposed by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. If signed by Governor Healey, Massachusetts will have the strongest and most effective standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in New England.
Identical to the ADU provision passed by the House of Representatives on June 5th, this newest version of the Housing Bond Bill also allows ADUs to be built as of right in single-family zoning districts statewide. State officials project that more than 8,000 ADUs could be built over the next 5 years. By adopting the same ADU provision as was passed by the House, the Senate sent a clear message that there is broad support across our Commonwealth for housing solutions like ADUs. This is a significant achievement for statewide pro-housing organization Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA) from whose priority bill this legislative session the Healey administration borrowed heavily for the ADU component of their Affordable Homes Act.
“It was a great honor to work with Governor Healey’s team and partners in the legislature to advocate for Accessory Dwelling Units by-right statewide. I am proud that Massachusetts will now have the strongest ADU law in New England. This meaningful piece of legislation allows homeowners to generate additional income or house loved ones with disabilities, aging family members, or young adults who might not otherwise be able to afford to live in the community where they were raised. This is the first of many wins for the pro-housing movement in Massachusetts. Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka, Chairman Michael Rodigues, and their colleagues for ensuring the senate included a strong ADU provision in the Housing Bond Bill” said Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Executive Director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts.
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Abundant Housing Massachusetts is a non-profit organization founded in 2020 to advocate for the creation of abundant housing for all and to develop and support a network of grassroots, pro-housing groups and activists across Massachusetts. AHMA is committed to fostering a movement that includes diverse voices, geography, and people with different lived experiences to help shape an inclusive statewide pro-housing network.