Working Group Issues Final Report Outlining Strategies to Increase Housing Production in Devens Report Recommends Zoning Amendment to Allow for Development of New Housing Units

BOSTON – The Devens Housing Working Group released its final report outlining a strategy for increasing housing production in Devens, a former army base that has transformed into a mixed-use destination for residents and companies in the technology, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences sectors. The Working Group, established in 2024 through the Mass Leads Act to determine a strategy for increased housing production in Devens, recommends amending local zoning bylaws to allow for the reuse of existing buildings and the production of a range of housing types within the community.   “Over the past three decades, Devens has transformed into a home for innovative, cutting-edge companies and a vibrant residential community,” said Interim Secretary of Economic Development Ashley Stolba. “We are excited about the potential for future development in Devens and thank the Working Group for laying the foundation for increased housing production in the community.”   "Congratulations to the Devens Working group for delivering a clear vision to expand housing production at Devens," said Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus. "Devens is primed with existing infrastructure to add new homes to support the region's growing economy. This puts new housing close to jobs and services that already exist. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is proud to provide funding to enable the technical studies outlined in this report to move forward."  The Working Group was led by the Executive Office of Economic Development and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and comprised of representatives from Towns of Harvard, Ayer, and Shirley; MassDevelopment, the state’s quasi-public development finance agency and land bank; the Devens Enterprise Commission, the local regulatory and permitting authority for the community; and the Devens Committee, an advisory group of Devens residents. The full report is available on the Executive Office of Economic Development website.  Since January 2025, the Working Group has held five meetings and collected public feedback to inform the recommendations in the final report. As directed by the Legislature, the Working Group focused its attention on strategies to promote housing production within Devens’ Innovation and Technology Center (ITC) zoning district, a 90-acre area that is currently zoned for commercial uses but not housing, and includes the historic Vicksburg Square, a former army barracks complex. The final report supports the need for a zoning amendment that would permit housing within the ITC zoning district, including the development of a range of housing types, such as rental and for-sale units, multi- and single-family housing, and a mix of commercial uses that complement residential properties.   "The deliberate, inclusive work of the past few months is an important step to unlock Devens' full potential," said Senator John J. Cronin. "I look forward to collaborating to expand housing at Devens to build a vibrant economic future for the region."  “The Devens Housing Working Group marked a major step forward in planning for the future of Devens. With the ongoing housing crisis, it’s important that we explore all options to expand access to housing,” said Representative Danillo A. Sena. “I’m proud of the work that this group accomplished and the dedication of members of the working group, the Executive Office of Economic Development and my colleagues in the legislature to finding solutions that support Devens and the surrounding communities”   Devens was created by the Legislature in 1993 to provide an orderly and expeditious conversion and development of a portion of the federal military base Fort Devens into a non-military-use area. Devens comprises land within the historic boundaries of the Towns of Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley. MassDevelopment owns and manages the redevelopment of Devens and provides all municipal services to businesses and residents.   Zoning bylaws in Devens are approved by the three towns and MassDevelopment and may be amended through either a “super town meeting” held simultaneously in the Towns of Harvard, Shirley, and Ayer with the approval of MassDevelopment, or by a special act of the Legislature.  “Our team at MassDevelopment has been proud to lead the redevelopment of Devens from a former Army base to a thriving mixed-use community of residential neighborhoods, innovative businesses, nonprofit organizations, open space and recreation, as well as ongoing use by the Army Reserve as a training facility,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “We were glad to see the Mass Leads Act remove the cap on the number of housing units allowed in Devens and establish this working group of state and local leaders. These steps have set the stage for building much-needed additional housing that meets the needs of Devens and the surrounding region moving forward.”  “Getting to consensus is not always an easy task. The expertise, community involvement, and regional collaboration that led to the development of this report was a critical component to this process,” said Devens Enterprise Commission Director Neil Angus. “I look forward to seeing the recommendations of this report implemented and for the opportunity to do our part to help solve the state’s housing crisis in an innovative and sustainable way that is Devens.”   Devens currently has 256 units of residential and senior housing and approximately 950 residents.  Housing development in Devens was limited to no more than 282 units until last year when the Legislature removed the housing cap through the Mass Leads Act.   Devens is located in the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission region, which has the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the state and critically low housing vacancy compared to the state as a whole. This creates intense demand for the homes that are available and pushes prices higher. Communities in the Montachusett region, including Devens, reported issuing building permits for just 3,505 new homes between 2013 and 2023. Current, EOHLC estimates indicate the region may need 6,300 new homes from 2025 to 2035.   For more information about the Devens Housing Working Group, please visit www.mass.gov/orgs/devens-working-group.