No 'Housing Choice' Bill in Massachusetts This Year

The key item on the housing agenda of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will have to wait until next year.

1 minute read

November 24, 2019, 7:00 AM PST

Marc Lechanteur / Shutterstock

Jon Chesto reports that the Housing Choice bill championed by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker failed to win approval in the year's legislative session, failing to get the bill out of committee.

"[The bill] is widely viewed as the Legislature’s best shot at meaningfully addressing our housing crisis, one that is pronounced in Greater Boston where high home costs push people to live farther away from their jobs," according to Chesto. "Simply put, the bill would reduce to a simple majority the current two-thirds majority voting threshold for a number of housing-related zoning changes at the local level."

Legislators could still consider the bill again next year, so the idea isn't dead yet (and it's already survived falling short in the legislature once). More details on the politics of housing in the state of Massachusetts are included in the source article.

FULL STORY: Baker’s housing bill stalls again at State House

Thursday, November 21, 2019 in The Boston Globe

Housing Land Use Urban Development Massachusetts Housing Choice Gov. Charlie Baker View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.