The critical MBTA Communities law is under attack, and we need you to help defend it by sending a supportive Letter to the Editor of your communityâs newspaper.
AHMA has been a strong supporter of the âMBTA Communitiesâ multifamily zoning law, passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor in 2021 and now being implemented by the Commonwealthâs Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED). This law requires 175 communities of eastern and central Massachusetts to adopt zoning districts where triple deckers, townhomes, apartments buildings and other types of multi family homes can be built. These guidelines represent an important step towards building a more equitable and affordable region for all our neighbors and our growing population. Click here to read AHMAâs statement on the draft EOHED guidelines implementing this law.
Unfortunately, the Boston Globe recently revealed that many of the 175 cities and towns impacted by this law have expressed opposition to EOHEDâs draft guidelines, and that some communities are considering simply not complying with their legal obligation under the MBTA Communities law. But while the Globe article focused on opposition to the law, we know that AHMA and partner organizations â plus concerned residents from around the region â have expressed their support for this law as an important step towards building the homes needed for a more affordable Greater Boston region.
Pro-housing advocates across the 175 MBTA Communities need to continue making our voice heard. Letâs tell our communities how important it is for each city and town to meet its obligations to zone for more neighbors. We need you to write a letter to the editor, for a local paper of your choice this week!
Weâve created a guided template to help you customize and submit your letter and weâve included a list of additional resources.
If you do submit, please let us know by filling out this form. When it gets published we will excitedly share it across our AHMA network!
