What the Bernie bros and progressives just don’t get about housing | Skewed coverage of Boston exam schools debate | New film exposes gutting of local newspaper biz | Will Healey go big again on housing? | Aggressive local coverage of Steward welcome, but also late |
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One and done? Healey administration noncommittal on whether governor will roll out another major housing bill next year
Gov. Maura Healey went big on spending in her first major housing initiative.
Her $5 billion-plus housing bond bill, which cleared the Legislature in August, will overhaul thousands of public housing units while spurring construction of some new market-rate housing.
But Healey went decidedly small on the reform of onerous local zoning laws that have dramatically suppressed the construction of new homes and apartments, a matter of concern to some housing advocates and developers.
So will Healey will follow up with another major housing bill this coming year, this one focused on the revamping of these local regulatory barriers that are at the heart of the housing crisis?
Well, based on the response of a spokesperson to Contrarian Boston’s queries, that remains an open question.
On the plus side, two groups formed by the administration to dig into potential zoning reforms and other solutions to the housing crisis, and overall housing production goals, are expected to issue reports early next year.
That will certainly help keep the housing issue on the front burner, both at the State House and in the local media.
That said, Healey either isn’t committed to filing another major housing bill next year, or is just holding her cards close to her vest.
“Housing is a top priority for the Healey-Driscoll Administration,” Kevin Connor, a spokesperson of the administration noted in an email.
And the work of the two groups - the Commission on Unlocking Housing Production and the Housing Advisory Council - “will inform any potential, future housing legislation.”
Yet that was followed by a disclaimer of sorts, with Connor noting that the administration is “currently deep into the implementation” of the housing bill passed last year.
In addition, some of its provisions, including its main zoning reform, the legalization of granny flats (or accessary dwelling units) across the state, “do not come into effect until early next year,” Connor wrote.
Ok, so we can’t chew gum and walk at the same time here?
Home prices and rents have been on a tear pretty much for decades now, and anyone who has ever looked at the problem has fingered local zoning regs and NIMBY obstruction as the key culprits.
To date, just two zoning reform bills have passed: the above-mentioned granny flats provision, which make it easier to build a small addition; and MBTA Communities, which requires cities and towns to open their doors to new apartments and condos near T stations.
We now have tens of thousands of people leaving the state, in search of more reasonably priced housing and, while they are at it, lower taxes as well.
It’s time for Healey to put her foot on the gas, not let up.
Blinded by ideology? Bernie Sanders aides and supporters can’t - or won’t - see the real cause of soaring home prices and rents
What’s with the Bernie bros when it comes finding actual solutions to housing crisis?
For that matter, what’s with progressives?
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