Achieving production of 349,000 (11,600 units/year) new housing units in the region by 2030 is a necessity given the projected needs of the region’s population. According to the Greater Boston Housing Report Card, the most recent production estimate for the period from 2006-2007 is 15,945 housing units. The average number of housing units produced between 1998 and 2005 was 11,586. However, many years tend to feature slow growth – clearly, 2009, immediately following publication of the MetroFuture plan, will be a slow year for housing production – and production of affordable units as well as units with three or bedrooms is often weak. With ongoing shifts in market conditions, a more realistic and planned approach is needed to produce a steady supply of housing, especially for households in need.
Historically, the federal government has been a key player in providing funding for affordable housing. Declining federal funding for housing in Massachusetts has been a long-documented problem. Federal support for affordable housing fell by seven percent or nearly $29 million from 2006 to 2007.
4) Increase state funding for affordable housing development
5) Develop a Regional Housing Fund
6) Form municipal Affordable Housing Trusts
7) Recognize and support the nonprofit housing development sector
8) Increase production of “scattered site” affordable housing development
9) Encourage adoption of Smart Growth Zoning Overlay Districts