The clock is ticking for the Bay State’s looming housing shortage struggle. Massachusetts officials signed an executive order to evaluate single-stair family homes to combat the recent housing crisis and comply with year-long plans to expand housing supply.
The single-stair order promises to move the state uphill
Governor Maura Healey has moved forward with her gameplan, signing an executive order to research the potential of taller single stair buildings expanding in the state.
The order will open a new advisory group to conduct the study. It will compare single-stair designs to multi-stair ones and recommend code changes with a focus on maintaining strong life-safety protection.
“By bringing together technical expertise and stakeholder perspectives,” Jesse Kannon-Benanava, executive director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts, said in a statement
She continued, “this commission moves the Commonwealth one step closer to unlocking new, safe, and reasonably priced housing options at a time when our housing shortage continues to drive sky-high housing costs across Massachusetts”
Massachusett’s housing clock is ticking
Supply shortages, growing home prices, and pressures to combat these problems all cornered the state to make this move.
Redfin analysts found that since 2020, home prices have risen by 2.3% year-over-year within the state. While Boston Indicator also reported modest up-ticking for permits in the greater area but still have a rough uphill to climb.
A state-commissioned analysis urges the construction of at least 222,000 homes between 2025 and 2035. The greater Boston area needs roughly 121,000 additional homes in the same decade.
The bigger picture and future of Massachusetts
Healy’s order is part of a bigger plan to hit the state’s mission to keep up with the stagnant supply.
The 2021 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Communities Act required 177 communities to incorporate at least one 15 units per acre district that allows multifamily housing and cannot restrict housing to older residents. These districts must also be placed within a half mile of a subway, commuter rail, bus, or ferry stop. This will knock out expanding housing capacity and utilizing transit access.
Later in 2024, Healy signed the Affordable Homes Act, boosting funding for public housing, mixed-income rental developments and affordable homeownership programs statewide. Down payment assistance and set aside money for high-cost housing and seasonal communities is also promised. The Act roughly uses up to $5.16 billion. Vacant offices and other commercial buildings will also be converted into housing.
