BOSTON – On July 16, the Senate Ways and Means Committee took a major step toward addressing Massachusetts’ housing shortage by including statewide by-right legalization of duplexes in its Economic Development bill.
This proposal would allow duplexes to be built on all residentially zoned land statewide, creating more opportunities for the modest, attainable homes that families, seniors, and young people need.
This has been one of Abundant Housing Massachusetts’ top legislative priorities as originally filed in their omnibus bill, “An Act to Promote Yes in My Back Yard.” Legalizing duplexes is one of the simplest, most effective ways to expand housing choice for the Commonwealth.
Under current zoning laws, only one third of the state’s land allows duplexes by-right. This simple solution could unlock thousands of new homes to address our housing affordability crisis.
Abundant Housing Massachusetts is grateful to the Senate’s leadership and the Senate Ways and Means Committee for advancing this important reform and for making housing one of the central parts of the Commonwealth’s economic development strategy. Their leadership is able to recognize that building more homes is essential to creating a stronger economy and a more affordable Massachusetts.
As the bill continues to head to the Senate floor, AHMA will continue advocating to ensure this critical provision is able to remain within the final legislation while working to strengthen the bill with additional pro-housing reforms. They look forward to working with lawmakers to pass legislation that expands housing opportunities and helps make Massachusetts a place where everyone can afford to live.
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