Affordable Housing Legislation at Risk

In November 2010, voters will decide whether Chapter 40B, a law that provides for the production of affordable housing throughout the state, should remain in place.

Chapter 40B enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules as long as at least 20–25 percent of the units have long-term afford­ability restrictions. 40B produces more affordable housing than any other housing program in the Commonwealth and statewide serves a broad range of house­holds including the elderly, people with disabilities, municipal em­ployees, veterans and households with and without children who cannot afford Massachusetts’ high market-rate rental and home purchase environment.

Chapter 40B often is cited as a national model. From 2002 through 2006, 40B led to the creation of nearly 80 percent of all new afford­able rental apartments in Greater Boston (outside Boston city limits).

For more information about protecting this vital tool, log onto www.protectaffordablehousing.org.