2021-22 Legislative Session Priorities
AHMA supports the following bills in the current (2021-2022) Massachusetts legislative session. Click here to read our policy outline for the City of Boston.
Ending Exclusionary Zoning & Building Affordable Homes
HB1448 / SB871 – An Act relative to housing production
Sponsors: Rep. Andres Vargas (D) / Sen. Brendan Crighton (D)
The Big Toolkit Massachusetts Needs to Build More Homes
Don’t be fooled by the wonky name, (HB1448/SB871) An Act Relative to Housing Production* is a comprehensive reform bill packed with the tools Massachusetts needs to increase the production of all types of housing in all corners of the Commonwealth. This past year MA made some progress with the Housing Choice bill and the MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning Law but you can’t build a home with just two tools. We need more.
Click here to read MA’s fact sheet on HB1448/SB871
- Establishes a statewide housing production goal of 427,000 new units by 2040, including affordable homes for people below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) and below 50% AMI
- Requires multifamily zoning and affordable housing around transit and other suitable locations in more locations across t he Commonwealth
- Legalizes accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built by-right, in every municipality
- Allows commercial properties vacant for at least two years to be used permanently for mixed-use and multifamily housing.
- Prioritizes the disposition of state-owned land to be used for affordable housing.
- Allow communities to set affordable housing minimums for new development by a simple majority vote