Housing for Whom: Does Adherence to Massachusetts' 40B Provide Adequate Stock of Housing Types Needed at the Local Level?

Abstract

Massachusetts General Law 40B has been in effect for over 50 years, yet the housing affordability crisis in the state persists. It is well established that onerous bureaucratic permitting requirements, along with restrictive zoning ordinances constrain the housing market and serve to drive up housing prices. This study aims to determine if the subsidized housing units built in accordance with the demands of 40B can meet the demographic needs of their respective locales.

To test the hypothesis that municipalities favor subsidized unit types that are less of a draw on municipal finance, I compared the catalog of subsidized units in study communities to the locale's demographic profiles. This analysis showed a weak connection between the types of units built under 40B and the proportional population they would serve.

However, these results suggest the need for stricter documentation and reporting standards in the administration of 40B and examples from other states of how to best address the housing affordability crisis in Massachusetts.