The $5.16 billion plan authorizes historic investments in the state’s housing stock and includes proven production-oriented policy solutions, such as legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units by-right.
Boston – The Affordable Homes Act is on its way to Governor Healey’s desk, after passing overwhelmingly in the Massachusetts House and Senate early Thursday morning. She is expected to sign it in the coming days.
In addition to authorizing $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years, the Affordable Homes Act will legalize accessory dwelling units statewide. Abundant Housing Massachusetts worked closely with the Healey Administration and legislative leaders in both chambers to ensure ADUs were included in this landmark piece of legislation.
“It was a great honor to work with Governor Healey’s team and partners in the legislature to advocate for Accessory Dwelling Units by-right statewide. I am proud that Massachusetts will now have the strongest ADU law in New England. Advocates from across the state have spoken of the need for standardization and fewer barriers to building ADUs and we have finally answered the call. This bill allows homeowners to generate additional income or house loved ones with disabilities, aging family members, or young adults who might not otherwise be able to afford to live in the community where they were raised,” said Executive Director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts, Jesse Kanson-Benanav.
The bill requires cities and towns to adopt by-right permitting in single-family zoned districts, caps parking mandates at 1 spot per unit for ADUs further than ½ mile from public transit, and bans owner occupancy requirements. According to a report generated by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, this single policy is expected to generate between 8,000-10,000 new homes across the Commonwealth over the next five years.
“This is a critical win for the growing pro-housing movement in Massachusetts. ADUs are a gentle yet effective tool in the Massachusetts toolbox to address our severe housing storage. We look forward to joining key housing stakeholders in Massachusetts to continue the charge for supplying more homes for our current and future residents,” said Kanson-Benanav.