Milton Shuts the Door
on Multifamily Housing Plans

The MBTA Communities Act, passed in 2021, provides that the 177 communities serviced by the MBTA must create multifamily zones to spur housing development close to public transportation. But the issue is an emotionally charged one, with passions high on both sides. And Milton residents in February rejected a plan to create such housing ‚ choosing a loss of some state funding over an approximately 25 percent increase in their housing stock, along with the possibility of greater congestion.

HDIP: Unintended Consequences Adding to the Housing Crisis

See how the HDIP affected the state's housing crisis. Housing prices in Gateway Cities, such as Chelsea, Revere, Everett, and Lawrence, are skyrocketing.

Barnstable County: What Towns Tax the Most?

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The housing market has been the center of American economic growth…

Searching For Space: Massachusetts Real Estate in a Time of Covid

Hubwonk host Joe Selvaggi talks with real estate expert and broker/owner Pauline Donnelly about the disruption and trends created by the Covid-19 pandemic and steps buyers and renters can take to become more informed, prudent, and competitive in the frenzied market of Greater Boston and Martha’s Vineyard.

Zoning Reform Revisited: Local Control Determines How, Not If, Housing Gets Built

Hubwonk host Joe Selvaggi talks with Pioneer research associate Andrew Mikula about the need for affordable housing near the mass transit network and the requirements and local design opportunities of the 3A zoning reform law. Read Pioneer Institute's recent public comment on this topic.

Rent Control Redux: Mayor’s Committee Likely to Provide Astroturf Over Expertise

Hubwonk host Joe Selvaggi talks with Doug Quatrocchi, executive director of Masslandlords.net about the historical effects of rent control in Boston and Cambridge in the past and discuss the gap between the stated goals and the likely outcome of Boston Mayor Wu’s 25 member Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee.

Rent Control Re-Explored: What the Past Can Teach the Future

Hubwonk Host Joe Selvaggi talks with economist and MIT Professor Chris Palmer about his research and analysis of the effects of rent control in Cambridge during its 25-year implementation and in the aftermath of its repeal.

Examining Eviction Moratoriums: Testing Constitutional Limits of Executive Branch Power

Hubwonk host Joe Selvaggi talks with constitutional scholar and George Mason Law Professor Ilya Somin about the flaws and legal vulnerabilities of the first and second CDC eviction moratoriums and discuss what current and future court rulings will mean for the limits of executive agency powers.

Renters’ Unsung Heroes: Small Landlords Endure Without Income or Relief

Hubwonk host Joe Selvaggi talks with MassLandlords’ Doug Quattrochi about ways landlords faced the challenges of being caught between tenants unable to pay rent during COVID-19 shutdown and having little or no programmatic relief from state and federal agencies.

COVID-19’s Impact on Rental Housing

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The Massachusetts Legislature is currently debating a rental housing bill. What impact will it have on the many landlords for whom rental income is their only source of income?

Enter the 2020 Better Government Competition: “Coming Home: Housing the Next Generation”

Pioneer Institute’s 2020 Better Government Competition seeks ideas that will address the lack of housing availability, affordability and accessibility to transportation options. Enter today – you could win $10,000!

What impact do Massachusetts home prices have on Boston commuters?

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Massachusetts is commonly ranked one of the most expensive states…

Study: Boston-Area Communities Should Loosen Restrictions for Accessory Dwelling Units

Additional units could help ease housing shortage BOSTON—A…

Boston’s housing boom needs a region-level response

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In 1912 - the same year the Titanic sank and William Howard Taft…

Boston is a global city. Here’s why that status is threatened

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Boston is often touted as a “global city.” A quick Google…

Inadequate Inflation Adjustment Factor Will Subject Increasing Numbers of People to So-Called “Millionaires” Tax

Would take particular toll on those relying on home value appreciation…

Everett on the Rise

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This year, the City of Everett is celebrating its 125th anniversary.…

Managing Growth in Malden & Somerville: A Tale of Two Cities

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The influx of new residents into Boston and its surrounding communities…

A Safe Bet For Massachusetts

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As talk heats up around town about a possible deal to sell and…

Meeting the Housing Needs of an Aging Population

Guest post by Mariella Rutigliano Many Americans struggle…

What do Property Taxes Mean for your Town?

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Earlier this year, the Boston Globe published an article comparing…

Town Residents Clash with Developers over Chapter 40B Housing Law

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M.G.L. Chapter 40B, Sections 20 through 23, (commonly referred…

Kerry should leave lending standards alone

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Our compassionate Sen. John Kerry is at it again, in behalf…

Why does this always seem like Boston's default attitude?

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Today's Globe has an article on a little-known provision of the…

Questions Michael Flaherty, Sam Yoon and Kevin McCrea should be asking

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The Globe this week ran successive stories (here and here) regarding…

One Last Word on the Film Tax Incentives

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Yesterday's Globe had an article critical of the film tax credit…

Floor falls out in California housing

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On the LA Times blog today there is a distressing bit of news…

Supply vs. Demand – and Demand is winning

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The Boston Zoning Commission voted yesterday to approve the City…

Concentrating poverty in our cities

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The Globe reports in "Warehouse for the Poor" that Holyoke and…