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Five-Year Review Finds MBTA Communities Law Has Produced Nearly 7,000 Homes

Analysts say progress trails housing needs, signaling a push for broader zoning reform.

Overview

  • A Boston Indicators analysis links nearly 7,000 units to MBTA Communities rezoning across more than 100 projects in 34 municipalities, with most activity still in permitting.
  • The output represents a small share of Massachusetts' overall housing goals, underscoring that the law alone will not meet statewide needs.
  • About 30% of the identified units are within a half-mile of train stations and roughly 57% are within a mile, reflecting the law’s flexibility in siting districts.
  • Production is heavily concentrated, with 19 developments over 100 units accounting for roughly three-quarters of MBTA-linked homes in the pipeline.
  • State officials report 165 of 177 communities are compliant, and Attorney General Andrea Campbell has signaled enforcement actions against the 12 that remain out of compliance.