Massachusetts is refusing to kick the can down the road when it comes to housing costs. Today I announced our state’s first ever housing plan.
Our goal is to achieve 222,000 new housing units by 2035. We’re aiming to massively increase production, support people struggling to afford their homes, prevent homelessness, and preserve and upgrade existing housing.
Above all, this is a plan to reduce our state’s housing costs, making Massachusetts an easier place to live, work, and raise a family.
This plan isn’t just focused on one specific region. We know that housing has gotten less affordable across our entire state. This is a plan for every family and every community across Massachusetts.
Some of what the plan includes:
- Bringing vacant homes back online
- Providing direct subsidies and increasing access to homeownership for first-time homebuyers
- Preserving homes with expiring affordability restrictions
- Preventing evictions and foreclosures
- Enhancing partnerships with employers to make sure that we’re meeting the needs of their workforces
This is not my first action on housing — many strategies outlined in the plan are already in motion. You may recall the Affordable Homes Act I signed, the most comprehensive housing bill in history, which will create or preserve 65,000 units.
I’ve been taking huge action on this issue because it’s one of the greatest challenges facing our state. I’m proud that we lead our country in so many areas, but if people can’t afford to live here, we’re not fulfilling our full promise.
Massachusetts needs to be a place where young people know they can start a life, where families can stay on top of their bills, where seniors can spend their golden years without worrying.
Housing is a big challenge, but it’s one that’s worth taking on. We have 222,000 homes to build, and lives to change.
Let’s do this.
-Maura