Roundtable discussion highlights importance of retaining skilled workforce and boosting economic growth by providing access to housing

BOSTON - On May 8, 2024, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll led a roundtable discussion with business leaders from across the state impacted by the rising cost of housing.  

Executive Office of Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined the discussion hosted by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce at Worcester’s Top of the Tower event space. The group addressed the challenges businesses face in continuing to attract and retain a talented workforce at a time when Massachusetts residents are spending more of their incomes on housing costs.  

“Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I hear from business leaders across the state that housing is the number one challenge their businesses are facing,” said Governor Healey. “We are working to address our housing challenges so that our talented workforce can afford to live in Massachusetts and that our employers have skilled talent to meet their needs. Our administration is proud to have a strong relationship with business leaders from across the state who are working with us to identify creative solutions to lowering the cost of housing. This is an economic imperative.”  

The meeting was part of the administration’s statewide Housing Campaign to call attention to the urgent need to lower housing costs throughout Massachusetts and the ways in which the high cost of housing impacts the businesses. Events earlier this week focused on ending veteran homelessness and the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s partnership with cities and towns to find solutions.  

Today’s discussion highlighted the importance of an adequate housing supply to both the vitality of the business sector and the economic growth of the state. 

“Whether you’re a small business or a larger employer, the high cost of housing impacts your ability to attract and retain the workers who drive our economy and keep Massachusetts running,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “In working together to meet these challenges, we are building a stronger, more affordable, and more competitive Massachusetts for everyone.” 

“Everyone is feeling the housing shortage – from the small business owner to the large corporation that employs thousands of workers,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “But we are a state of innovators. By having discussions like these and working together toward a common purpose we can discover solutions that not only create housing our workers can afford but will strengthen our economy.” 

“Housing is fundamental to economic growth. It’s crucial to address this challenge head-on by increasing housing production, providing our workforce the opportunity to lay roots in our state,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “Together, our administration is working to build a stronger Massachusetts that is more affordable for our current and future generations.” 

Business leaders spoke about the importance of having more affordable housing to attract and retain a skilled workforce. The group also discussed the importance of housing development statewide to sustain and grow a vibrant, competitive economy. 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Affordable Homes Act, filed with the Legislature last fall, is part of the administration’s overall housing strategy and authorizes $4 billion in spending to jumpstart housing production in Massachusetts while implementing 28 policy changes to help communities create the housing they need. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is also holding 14 listening sessions around the state as it works to develop the state’s first five-year housing plan.  

Statements of Support 

Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty: 
“Our successes can only be credited to strong partnerships and great communication between our local, state, and federal private and public partners. We are so grateful to be supported by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and we hope to attack this housing crisis head-on together.” 

Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista: 
“A strategic housing approach is critical to attract, retain, and support talent and jobs. In Worcester, we have adopted and implemented forward-thinking policies, including Inclusionary Zoning and Accessory Dwelling Units, to help stimulate responsible housing production. Policies like the Affordable Homes Act and Mass Leads Act are useful tools to compliment municipalities’ varied efforts. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for their ongoing partnership and recognition of Worcester’s ability to help strengthen the entire Commonwealth.” 

Brooke Thomson, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Massachusetts: 
“AIM is extremely concerned that the high cost of housing is impacting the state’s competitiveness. AIM members, from restaurants on Cape Cod, to manufacturing facilities in the Berkshires, cannot fill their worker vacancies despite offering high wages and signing bonuses among other benefits, because prospective employees simply cannot afford to live close to where those jobs are. That is why AIM unequivocally supports the overarching objectives of the Affordable Homes Act to accelerate the development of new housing and to moderate the cost our employees must pay to buy homes, rent homes and establish roots here in Massachusetts.” 

Charran Fisher, CEO, Fisher Contracting Corporation: 
“As a local minority & woman owned business that prioritizes a diverse workforce, I am worried about the housing crisis here in Worcester knowing that it disproportionately affects black and brown people. Renters with lower incomes face the biggest challenges when it comes to finding affordable housing.” 

Greg Reibman, President & CEO, Charles River Regional Chamber: 
“It’s vital that the business community play a leadership role in advocating for housing diversity across the Commonwealth and grateful to the governor and her administration for inviting us to have seat at the table. Today's meeting reminded us that we need the business community's voice to be heard whenever Town Meetings and city councils deliberate housing in their communities. Housing advocates can talk about the general need for more homes. Environmentalists can speak about the benefits of building more multi-family homes near transit. But only businesses can uniquely speak to how housing is critical to attracting and retaining workers – from the corner coffee shop to child care and senior care centers to the high-tech and biotech jobs that drive our economy and make our communities special.” 

James E. Rooney, President and CEO, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce: 
"The Greater Boston Chamber is committed to ensuring that people and businesses can start, stay, and succeed in Massachusetts, and housing is one of the vital keys that helps our workforce and companies plant roots and build a legacy. We appreciate the leadership of the Healey administration in addressing the housing crisis with urgency while ensuring a state-wide collaborative approach. Working with business leaders is integral to understanding the economic impact of housing and how we can prioritize and increase housing production to solve our housing crisis. As we consider how to bolster the Commonwealth's competitiveness, housing is one of the main ways that we ensure our collective success." 

Jay Ash, President & CEO, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership: 
“The availability and cost of housing is a critical issue many are confronting across our entire state. This meeting in Worcester was substantive in action, but also important to be held in the heart of our state to demonstrate to every resident in every region of Massachusetts that we are all in this together and need to find solutions that work for everyone!” 
 
Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce: 
“Housing and the economy are inextricably linked. Across Massachusetts, the lack of attainable housing affects our competitiveness in attracting and retaining both businesses and workforce talent. For highly seasonal regions like Cape Cod, a shortage of year-round housing means businesses must often cut hours, recruit workers from outside the region, and purchase property to house their staff. The Cape Cod Chamber is committed to working with state and regional partners to implement housing solutions that respond to the needs of the workforce and the business community, supporting a vibrant economy for generations to come.” 

Satya B. Mitra, President & CEO, The Guru Tax & Financial Services: 
“This is a great step to hold the Roundtable discussion in Worcester, focusing mainly on Affordable Housing, Attracting Businesses and enhancing Economic Development. Although, many challenges may make the project of building affordable housing a difficult undertaking, but Governor Healey’s passion to bring a resolve to this task, working together with her other associates and having brainstorming discussions with involved people in the community, is immensely admirable, very appropriate and positive approach. Current crisis of affordable housing is serious issue to solve in the entire Commonwealth! While availability of affordable housing will make many businesses to find it attractive to move here, but an analysis to revise Massachusetts tax laws that would give some tax deductibility opportunity for these homeowners, could add to make it more attractive to entrepreneurs and an impact of this should be analyzed and not missed.” 

Tim Murray, President & CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce: 
“The chamber is happy to host the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and their team and other important stakeholders for this important roundtable about affordable housing and workforce challenges. At the Chamber, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce is at the forefront of many conversations with members. Inviting local business leaders to the table for today’s conversation further demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to Central MA.” 

Jessye Deane, Executive Director, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce & Regional Tourism Council: 
“There are several compounding issues that challenge rural communities. What keeps me up at night is population loss projections. Over the next 20 years, Franklin County's population is estimated to decline by over 10%. That's catastrophic for a community of 70,000 with a tax base that’s 75% residential.  Without attracting larger employers and younger workers to the area, the regional economy and the health of our municipalities is at significant risk.” 

JD Chesloff, President & CEO, Massachusetts Business Roundtable:
“In a recent survey of members of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, the cost of living emerged as the dominant factor influencing business growth and location decisions, driven by the high cost of housing.  Yet in that same survey, more than 90% said that investments in housing production – like those envisioned in the Affordable Homes Act – will improve the state’s competitiveness. The state is faced with a housing crisis but has the tools to begin to address it. We must do so, collectively and urgently, and the Roundtable is grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for convening these conversations.”