Overwhelming number of communities have adopted pro-MBTA Communities zoning; 33 approved communities now eligible to apply for $15 million in MBTA Communities Catalyst Funding to housing and infrastructure

Somerville - Governor Maura T. Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today celebrated the momentum around the MBTA Communities Law, as 75 municipalities have now embraced zoning changes that will create more housing and lower costs across the state. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities announced that it has already approved 33 of their plans, making those communities eligible to apply for the new MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, which provides financial support to compliant communities for housing and infrastructure projects.

The celebration was held at Prospect Union Square in Somerville near a 450-unit mixed-income rental community with easy access to the MBTA. The neighborhood represents the type of good transit-focused, multifamily housing possible when the state and local communities work together. The development of the neighborhood was made possible through a $13.5 million MassWorks grant in 2016.  

“Dozens of communities across the state are saying yes to housing and putting forward thoughtful plans that will increase housing production and lower costs for people,” said Governor Maura Healey. “When communities say yes to housing production, they are saying yes to making housing more affordable for the teachers, first responders and middle-class families that make our communities strong. We’re grateful for the communities that have adopted these changes and look forward to celebrating many more who will keep up this momentum this fall.”

“As a former Mayor, I know that change isn’t easy. I also know what so many other municipal leaders across our state recognize as well – we need every community to step up and help us build more housing and lower costs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We launched the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to offset some of the biggest barriers our cities and towns face and reward those who have done the hard work and are now in full compliance with the MBTA Communities law.”

“I applaud the communities following this mandatory law and embracing it as the tool it is to alleviate the state’s housing affordability crisis,” said Attorney General Campbell. “As we enter fall town meeting season, I hope the communities still left to vote on this critical issue will join our strong and expansive coalition of support. My office will not only continue to enforce the law, but also, alongside the Healey-Driscoll Administration, assist communities with resources, consultations, and technical assistance as they work to come into compliance.”

Earlier this year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration created the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, a capital grant program that recognizes that promoting housing growth in communities requires additional resources and makes available funding to support activities related to housing creation, infrastructure projects associated with housing and acquisition of property to promote housing. Eligible MBTA Communities are those that have received a determination of compliance letter from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities at the time of the funding request. The administration has made $15 million available for the fund.

The 33 communities now eligible to apply for Catalyst funds include: Arlington, Lexington and Salem, plus newly-approved Abington, Andover, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Dedham, Easton, Grafton, Harvard, Hull, Lincoln, Lowell, Medfield, Medford, Northbridge, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Rockland, Sharon, Somerville, Stoneham, Swampscott, Taunton, Tyngsborough, Walpole, Wayland, Westford and Worcester. Three additional communities are considered to be in conditional compliance, including Everett, Malden and Newton. 

The MBTA Communities Act was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Legislature and signed into law in January 2021 as part of legislation to strengthen the state’s economy. The law requires 177 cities and towns to establish at least one district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right. Communities have choices as to the creation of the districts, which must allow multi-family developments without discretionary review processes, which can stymie developments. Zoning must also be located near transit stations, when applicable, and that the districts cannot impose age restrictions. The lack of zoning for multi-family housing is a barrier for new housing development in Massachusetts. By allowing multifamily housing near transit, communities can create new housing in walkable neighborhoods. 

“The Catalyst Fund is yet another tool to jumpstart housing production in newly adopted multi-family zoning districts,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “The MBTA Communities law is working. Already, more than 1,600 units of housing are in the pipeline to be built in MBTA Community zoning districts with several communities going above and beyond the guidelines. We need more housing to meet the current demand, and the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund gives our communities a hand as they work to build housing that works for them.” 

Most communities are doing what they need to do to comply with the law. In addition to the 75 that have passed zoning intended for compliance with the law, many other communities are expected to adopt multifamily zoning at city and town meetings this fall. The administration anticipates another wave of communities passing multifamily zoning districts this fall in advance of the District Compliance Application deadline for Commuter Rail and Adjacent communities on Dec. 31, 2024.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is working with every community to ensure compliance with the MBTA Communities law while providing funding as well. Over the last three years, the state and its partners have provided more than $7 million in technical assistance to 156 of the 177 MBTA communities to help them develop districts to comply with the law. In addition, the state awarded more than $33 million to support housing developments in 15 municipalities last year through the HousingWorks Infrastructure Program.

Funding for the Catalyst program is available for fiscal 2025, fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027.  Awards will typically fund projects with grant requests between $250,000 and $1 million. Eligible municipalities can find program guidelines and applications at mass.gov. The MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund will accept applications on a rolling basis. 

In March 2023, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) issued an advisory to clarify requirements for cities and towns under the mandatory MBTA Communities Law. In addition to its enforcement responsibilities, the AGO continues to work collaboratively with communities seeking to reach compliance, including by providing resources, assisting with technical assistance referrals and offering consultations for communities seeking feedback on proposed zoning plans.

Statements of Support:

Representative Frank A. Moran, Second Assistant Majority Leader (D-Lawrence):

“I am proud that the Town of Andover has reaffirmed its commitment to providing our community with access to affordable housing through its compliance with the MBTA Communities Act. This designation will allow for Andover to be eligible to receive funding from the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to support local housing, economic development, infrastructure, and climate resiliency efforts. I would like to thank the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for their work to make this funding opportunity available to our municipalities, as well as Town Manager Andrew Flanagan for always having the best interests of our residents in mind.”

Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge):

“As a representative of Cambridge and Somerville, I am delighted by today’s announcement that both of our cities are compliant with the MBTA Communities Law. From Central Square to Union Square, from Kendall Square to Assembly Row, we’re one of the most densely populated places in the country, and we’re committed to adding even more new housing in the years to come. I look forward to continued implementation of this law across the region so that more communities can enjoy the benefits that come from dense, multi-family housing near transit.”

Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull):

"Hull’s Determination of Compliance with Section 3A is an acknowledgement of the town’s ongoing commitment to preserve the affordable and livable community that we have always enjoyed. I am glad to see the Healey-Driscoll Administration prioritizing affordable housing through initiatives like the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund.”

Connor Read, Town Administrator, Town of Easton: 

“The housing affordability crisis affects all of us throughout the Commonwealth, and Easton thanks the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Augustus, the Massachusetts Legislature, and voters in all compliant communities for enacting important reforms to ease restrictions and increase supply. Through new grant opportunities like the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, the Commonwealth is stepping up to support local communities meeting one of Massachusetts’ most pressing challenges.”

Timothy Higgins, Town Administrator, Town of Lincoln:

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to join today with the Governor, her administration, and colleagues from around the state to celebrate an important step forward and to acknowledge our shared responsibility for addressing the housing crisis in the Commonwealth.  We are grateful for the Governor’s leadership and support throughout the process.”

Katjana Ballantyne, Mayor, City of Somerville: 

“Somerville is proud to be among the first communities to fully comply with the MBTA Communities Act. Multi-family housing is essential in a dense city like ours, offering affordability, efficiency, and enhancing the fabric of our community. By making it easier to create three-family homes, we’ve already seen an increase in applications to build new housing, and today’s announcement of state funding is critical to continuing that momentum. I want to thank Governor Healey for her leadership in taking on the State's housing crisis and ensuring that communities like Somerville can keep advancing housing solutions that work for everyone.”    

Dennis Sheehan, Town Administrator, Town of Stoneham: 

“Stoneham is proud to support the Administration’s efforts in reducing barriers for new housing development in Massachusetts. Our Planning Board and residents enthusiastically voted to exceed the compliance requirements at Open Town Meeting and we look forward to all the community benefits this new zoning will provide.”

Senator Brendan Crighton (D- Lynn):

"We are grateful for the work our local officials and partners in Swampscott have done to be in compliance with this law. By meeting the MBTA Communities requirements, Swampscott has created more opportunities to produce much-needed transit-oriented development, and is now eligible for more state funding through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund."  

Scott Hazelton, Chair, Westford Select Board, Town of Westford: 

“The Town of Westford is committed to encouraging more diverse and attainable housing options in the Commonwealth. After a vigorous 2-year long public planning process, Westford Town Meeting approved a compliant MBTA Communities zoning bylaw amendment in April of 2024. This success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of town leadership, the hard work of our advisory committee (MBTA Communities Multi-family Advisory Committee), our planning board, our planning consultant (Dodson & Flinker, made possible with a Housing Choice Grant), our regional planning agency (Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, made possible through District Local Technical Assistance funds and a Mass Housing Partnership Grant), Town Counsel (K-P Law), Town staff, and the thoughtful input from our engaged residents and business community. It is our hope that this initiative is positive step forward towards a brighter future for our residents and businesses alike. With grateful appreciation, we welcome any further assistance the State can provide to help us achieve more of our housing goals, and to ensure that our community is as walkable and livable as possible.” 

Eric D. Batista, City Manager, City of Worcester: 

“The City of Worcester is pleased to receive its district compliance designation for MBTA Communities. Multi-family housing has been and continues to be the foundation of our housing stock here in the city and we look forward to exploring how the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund can help us create more. As a Commuter Rail Community, Worcester knows just how important accessible transportation to and from the city is and we will continue working with the MBTA to grow ridership and expand services.” 

Joseph M. Petty, Mayor, City of Worcester: 

“We have worked diligently in collaboration with partners in the public and private sector to ensure that we were in compliance with the MBTA Communities Act. The City of Worcester is grateful for the recognition of our hard work, and we look forward to continuing our partnerships with the MBTA, state agencies, and local partners to ensure we can continue working toward being an accessible place to live.”