Housing Committee 

The 495/MetroWest Partnership’s Housing Committee focuses on the issue of housing in the region, addressing topics including but not limited to affordable housing, workforce housing, senior housing, transit-oriented and mixed-use development, zoning as it pertains to housing, and the impact of housing on the region’s economy and resources.

Draft Guidance for Multi-family Zoning Requirements for MBTA Communities: On Monday, March 28th, 2022, the 495/MetroWest Partnership and the Middlesex 3 Coalition co-hosted a presentation regarding the Commonwealth’s Draft Guidance for Multi-family Zoning Requirements for MBTA Communities. Click here to view a recording of the presentation. Enacted as part of the economic development bill in January 2021, state law now requires that any MBTA Community shall have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right. In December 2021, DHCD released draft guidelines for MBTA Communities regarding these new multi-family zoning requirements. The presentation was led by Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, Chris Kluchman of the Department of Housing and Community Development, and Clark Ziegler of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. Additional resources:

• Click here to access the slide presentation utilized during this event
• Comments regarding the draft guidance may be submitted online via this link. Please note the public comment period closes Thursday, March 31st, 2022
• Click here to access the full text of the Draft Guidance
• Click here to access a map of MBTA Communities
• A “Frequently Asked Questions” document may be accessed online here

Transit Oriented Development Forum: The Housing Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted a virtual forum focused on Transit Oriented Development on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021. Panelists included Erika Oliver Jerram, Acting Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Framingham; Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator for the Town of Franklin; and Christopher McGoldrick, Town Planner for the Town of Grafton. The conversation focused on recent and in-progress TOD projects, as well as long-term visioning centered around Commuter Rail stations. Click here to view a recording of the discussion. 

Housing Submarkets Presentation & Discussion: On June 9th, the Housing Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted a presentation and discussion with MAPC focused on their Housing Submarkets study, and submarket-specific strategies to meet housing needs and demand through housing and affordable housing production, preservation, and housing stability protections. A housing submarket is a collection of neighborhoods with similar housing stock and housing market characteristics. These characteristics contribute to who can find, afford, and remain in suitable housing in that neighborhood. Presenting on behalf of MAPC were Jessie Partridge Guerrero, Research Manager at MAPC, and Karina Oliver-Milchman, AICP, Chief of Housing & Neighborhood Development. Click here to view a recording of this presentation and discussion. 

Housing Committee Kickoff Session: The Housing Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted its first session on Thursday, March 25th. Click here to view a recording of the session. We hosted two presentations, each followed by a Question and Answer period:

• Amy Dain, Consultant, Dain Research, and author of The State of Zoning for Multi-Family Housing in Greater Boston, presented on the state of multi-family housing in the region and potential strategies going forward.
• Chris Kluchman, Deputy Director of the Community Services Division at the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), presented an overview of the state’s new Housing Choice legislation and its implementation. Chris Kluchman's presentation can be downloaded via this link.