Governor Healey, AG Campbell Celebrate MBTA Communities Momentum to Lower Housing Costs

Governor Healey, AG Campbell Celebrate MBTA Communities Momentum to Lower Housing Costs 

Overwhelming number of communities have adopted pro-MBTA Communities zoning 

33 approved communities now eligible to apply for $15 million in MBTA Communities Catalyst Funding to housing and infrastructure 

SOMERVILLE – Governor Maura T. Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today celebrated the momentum around the MBTA Communities Law, as 75 municipalities have now embraced zoning changes that will create more housing and lower costs across the state. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities announced that it has already approved 33 of their plans, making those communities eligible to apply for the new MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, which provides financial support to compliant communities for housing and infrastructure projects. 

The celebration was held at Prospect Union Square in Sommerville near a 450-unit mixed-income rental community with easy access to the MBTA. The neighborhood represents the type of good transit-focused, multifamily housing possible when the state and local communities work together. The development of the neighborhood was made possible through a $13.5 million MassWorks grant in 2016.   

“Dozens of communities across the state are saying yes to housing and putting forward thoughtful plans that will increase housing production and lower costs for people,” said Governor Maura Healey. “When communities say yes to housing production, they are saying yes to making housing more affordable for the teachers, first responders and middle-class families that make our communities strong. We’re grateful for the communities that have adopted these changes and look forward to celebrating many more who will keep up this momentum this fall.” 

“As a former Mayor, I know that change isn’t easy. I also know what so many other municipal leaders across our state recognize as well – we need every community to step up and help us build more housing and lower costs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We launched the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to offset some of the biggest barriers our cities and towns face and reward those who have done the hard work and are now in full compliance with the MBTA Communities law.”  

“I applaud the communities following this mandatory law and embracing it as the tool it is to alleviate the state’s housing affordability crisis,” said Attorney General Campbell. “As we enter fall town meeting season, I hope the communities still left to vote on this critical issue will join our strong and expansive coalition of support. My office will not only continue to enforce the law, but also, alongside the Healey-Driscoll Administration, assist communities with resources, consultations, and technical assistance as they work to come into compliance.”  

Earlier this year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration created the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, a capital grant program that recognizes that promoting housing growth in communities requires additional resources and makes available funding to support activities related to housing creation, infrastructure projects associated with housing and acquisition of property to promote housing. Eligible MBTA Communities are those that have received a determination of compliance letter from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities at the time of the funding request. The administration has made $15 million available for the fund. 

The 33 communities now eligible to apply for Catalyst funds include: Arlington, Lexington and Salem, plus newly-approved Abington, Andover, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Dedham, Easton, Grafton, Harvard, Hull, Lincoln, Lowell, Medfield, Medford, Northbridge, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Rockland, Sharon, Somerville, Stoneham, Swampscott, Taunton, Tyngsborough, Walpole, Wayland, Westford and Worcester. Three additional communities are considered to be in conditional compliance, including Everett, Malden and Newton.   

The MBTA Communities Act was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Legislature and signed into law in January 2021 as part of legislation to strengthen the state’s economy. The law requires 177 cities and towns to establish at least one district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right. Communities have choices as to the creation of the districts, which must allow multi-family developments without discretionary review processes, which can stymie developments. Zoning must also be located near transit stations, when applicable, and that the districts cannot impose age restrictions. The lack of zoning for multi-family housing is a barrier for new housing development in Massachusetts. By allowing multifamily housing near transit, communities can create new housing in walkable neighborhoods.  

“The Catalyst Fund is yet another tool to jumpstart housing production in newly adopted multi-family zoning districts,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “The MBTA Communities law is working. Already, more than 1,600 units of housing are in the pipeline to be built in MBTA Community zoning districts with several communities going above and beyond the guidelines. We need more housing to meet the current demand, and the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund gives our communities a hand as they work to build housing that works for them.”   

Most communities are doing what they need to do to comply with the law. In addition to the 75 that have passed zoning intended for compliance with the law, many other communities are expected to adopt multifamily zoning at city and town meetings this fall. The administration anticipates another wave of communities passing multifamily zoning districts this fall in advance of the District Compliance Application deadline for Commuter Rail and Adjacent communities on Dec. 31, 2024. 

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is working with every community to ensure compliance with the MBTA Communities law while providing funding as well. Over the last three years, the state and its partners have provided more than $7 million in technical assistance to 156 of the 177 MBTA communities to help them develop districts to comply with the law. In addition, the state awarded more than $33 million to support housing developments in 15 municipalities last year through the HousingWorks Infrastructure Program. 

Funding for the Catalyst program is available for fiscal 2025, fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027.  Awards will typically fund projects with grant requests between $250,000 and $1 million. Eligible municipalities can find program guidelines and applications at mass.gov. The MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund will accept applications on a rolling basis.  

In March 2023, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) issued an advisory to clarify requirements for cities and towns under the mandatory MBTA Communities Law. In addition to its enforcement responsibilities, the AGO continues to work collaboratively with communities seeking to reach compliance, including by providing resources, assisting with technical assistance referrals and offering consultations for communities seeking feedback on proposed zoning plans.