Building Affordable Housing Through Major Zoning Changes

By Christine Rasmussen

In April, Bankrate announced that prospective homebuyers in Massachusetts must make $162,471 a year to afford a home. Four years ago, the figure was $115,797. That's a 40% increase from 2020. Wages haven't kept pace with the rising cost of houses, leading to numerous issues, including a rise in migration out of the County o more than 39,000 people. Those leaving are between the ages of 26 to 34 years. Many are college students educated here, but unable to find housing that works for them, according to Boston University professor Mark Williams.

In October 2023, Governor Maura Healy introduced the Affordable Homes Act, which she envisioned enabling the creation of more than 40,000 homes that would not otherwise be built, and preserving, rehabilitating, or improving more than 27,000 existing homes. It also supports first-time home buyers, and other.

As the 2023-24 legislative session wound down, the legislature passed a $5.16 billion five-year Housing Bond Bill to enact many of the governor's proposals. The bill provides some crucial incentives for creating housing, but its final version was disappointing because it removed earmark funding for housing in rural towns. However, the provision causing the most discussion allows for the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) or in-law apartments in every municipality in the Commonwealth if the unit is under 900 square feet and located on zoned single-family lots by right, meaning there is no need for a special permit or variance. The units can be attached or detached from a single-family home in a basement or attic or by a garage/barn conversion. Construction of ADUs is still subject to local building codes and site plan review, a regulation that towns will need to approve before the provisions of the law become effective in November. The Healey-Driscoll Administration estimates that 8,000 to 10,000 ADUs will be built across the state over the next five years.

Another policy enacted as part of this legislation is the creation of a Seasonal Communities designation for towns in Berkshire County with 40 percent seasonal residents. The designation is the first step in developing unique tools for communities with substantial variation in their housing needs due to seasonal employment. Cape Cod and the islands received the designation last year.

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is developing guidance on implementing these significant changes. Stay tuned; this fall will be busy!

Editor's note: Christine Rasmussen is our representative to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission

Photo: Lionel Delevingne