Details

Title	Getting Home: Overcoming Barriers to Housing in Greater Boston
Highlights	The authors indicate that divergent code interpretations by numerous local boards, commissions and staff make compliance confusing.   The authors suggest that State and local governments should consolidate building and specialty codes and reduce the amount of latitude local inspectors have over code interpretations.                       The authors say that Massachusetts’ Architectural Access Board (AAB), requirements are much stricter than Federal requirements.                         The authors say that Massachusetts has made a number of alterations to the rehabilitation code and the changes have made the rehabilitation process more difficult.   The authors say that the State should restore the simplicity of the rehabilitation code.                       The authors say that 125 communities in Massachusetts have adopted septic regulations that go beyond the State requirements.   The authors suggest that the State and local governments review the dual authority over environmental regulations.
Description	In this report, Charles C. Euchner and Elizabeth G. Frieze discuss the housing crisis in Greater Boston and its impact on modest income households. While they acknowledge that state and local governments have the right to regulate certain aspects of development, they say that regulatory policies and processes are major impediments to housing development. The authors argue that the State’s wetlands are subject to regulation by two different appeals processes. They say the result is a lengthy process that reduces the amount of buildable property in the eastern part of the State. They also indicate that numerous local boards, commissions and staff enforce building codes, thus making code compliance haphazard and confusing. The authors proceed to describe a number of local and State actions they say will improve the process for creating affordable housing. They suggest that local governments consider a split-rate property tax system and expand the use of “as-of-right” zoning. They encourage the State to appoint a commission to examine local zoning codes, develop a process for identifying buildable land, and provide financial incentives for localities to accept new housing. They also suggest that the State and local governments review the dual authority over environmental and wetland regulations, consolidate building and specialty codes, restore the simplicity of the rehabilitation code and ensure that local inspections are carried out in accordance with State codes.
Publication Date	2003
Organization	Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Web Location	http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/rappaport/downloads/gettinghome.pdf

Notice: The contents of this record reflect the views of the author and/or promulgating municipality, and should not be construed as representing the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or U.S. HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research. No attempt has been made by U.S. HUD or its contractors to verify the accuracy, currency, or validity of the record contents presented herein.