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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Highlights from our recent “Conference on Housing Land Use and Building Reform” buff.ly/0NfmErn include: • an overview of the zoning and regulatory barriers that are making it hard to build housing

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

How much does it cost when housing projects face delays? A three-month delay for a hypothetical 20-unit infill project can raise costs by $57,000, according to our new report, “Delayed by Design: How Discretionary Permitting Stalls Housing in Massachusetts.” buff.ly/2RQB4fc

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The central lesson of our new report, “Delayed by Design: How Discretionary Permitting Stalls Housing in Massachusetts” buff.ly/2RQB4fc is that permissive zoning codes that look good on paper do not guarantee an actual right to build housing.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

"We heard today that barriers, from restrictive zoning to lengthy permitting processes, make it difficult to build the homes our communities need to help people establish roots, build wealth, and live prosperous lives.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

"When our models are wrong, when a project stalls or a cost overrun kills a deal. It isn't just our capital and time that's lost; it's the housing that never gets built for the people who needed it.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Panelists at our conference—"Housing, Land Use and Building Reform"—discuss an agenda for reform.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

"Our regulatory complex is complex. We're throwing our arms around it today... We have created this system, and we've recreated the system, and we are totally capable now of reforming the system and creating the system we need to get people the housing that they need." —Amy Dain, Boston Indicators

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The lesson here is that changing state zoning rules works, and we have more opportunities to do it. — Amy Dain, Boston Indicators, at our conference, "Housing, Land Use and Building Reform."

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

We have far fewer elevators than everywhere else in the world... which means far less accessibility. We require elevators to be bigger and more bespoke for accessibility reasons, and that means we have fewer elevators and less accessibility. — Sam Naylor, Founding Partner, Nominal

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Around the world, the defacto way to build new housing is in single-stair configurations that are extremely safe. — Sam Naylor, Founding Partner, Nominal

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Addressing the permitting delays—including discretionary reviews and lawsuits—that make housing construction take months or years longer will take a multipronged approach, as we explain in our report, “Delayed by Design: How Discretionary Permitting Stalls Housing in Massachusetts.” buff.ly/VrboRp2

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Lexington has been successful in limiting housing construction delays. By-right zoning via Lexington’s MBTA Communities plan led two commercial buildings and a parking lot to be transformed into 25 apartments, three of which are permanently affordable.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

One way that cities and towns slow down housing production is by subjecting construction projects to excessive permitting reviews, as explained in our report, “Delayed by Design: How Discretionary Permitting Stalls Housing in Massachusetts.” buff.ly/VrboRp2

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Case studies show the range of delays that slow down housing construction in our new report, “Delayed by Design: How Discretionary Permitting Stalls Housing in Massachusetts.” buff.ly/VrboRp2

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Securing a building permit to construct housing requires patience and the ability to navigate city, state, and federal requirements, as we note in “Delayed by Design: How Discretionary Permitting Stalls Housing in Massachusetts.” buff.ly/VrboRp2

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

"It's important to look at the fact that we are building housing and we're building housing at a pace that we haven't seen in a while. But we need to be better at this and recognize some of the additional reforms beyond just zoning reforms that can be a part of this process." — Jonathan Berk

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This morning we’re hosting our conference, “Housing, Land Use and Building Reform,” at The Boston Foundation, and releasing our new report, “Delayed by Design: How Discretionary Permitting Stalls Housing in Massachusetts.” buff.ly/VrboRp2

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Deed restrictions promote housing affordability by limiting a property’s sale price. That’s good news for buyers, but sellers of deed-restricted homes earn less on the sale, which limits their ability to build wealth.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

To keep up with all of our latest research and analysis, sign up for the Boston Indicators newsletter. buff.ly/1IzJX2w

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Please join us in person at The Boston Foundation for our Morning Conference on Housing, Land Use, and Building Reform, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. You can register here: buff.ly/2iMryyK RSVPs are required as space is limited.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

In the news: Our staff and two of our recent reports have been featured in local publications. A Globe article about Haitians in Massachusetts losing their Temporary Protected Status buff.ly/8THyUm9 and being subject to deportation explains that 10,000 Haitians who work in Massachusetts could...

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

One expense that older homeowners in Massachusetts struggle with is property taxes. There is some policy relief, but not enough, as we explain in our report, “Wealth Gaps in the Golden Years: Economic Insecurity for Older Adults in a High-Cost State.” buff.ly/rQIiLGo

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Renters searching for apartments in the Greater Boston suburbs are likely to run into rental deserts, cities and towns with nice amenities but very few rental properties.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

A new study from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston—"Family Wealth in Massachusetts: Findings from the 2025 Massachusetts Economic Conditions and Household Opportunity Survey (Mass ECHOS)” buff.ly/Ja6GDXE%E2%8... finds that Massachusetts families have a median household wealth of roughly $374,000...

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A new study—"Family Wealth in Massachusetts: Findings from the 2025 Massachusetts Economic Conditions and Household Opportunity Survey (Mass ECHOS)” buff.ly/lOQ8kpz%E2%8... to persistent wealth gaps that hinder some families’ economic prospects, including their ability to own homes...

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

How can Massachusetts reform building codes in ways that would encourage the construction of small multifamily housing (SMH) that would fit well on the small lots in many of this state’s cities?

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Building more small multifamily housing (SMH) in Boston and Massachusetts is one important way to improve residents’ quality of life. As we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/0yUj13D, policymakers could change the building code...

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

In our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/6FONbR5 we include images of the many kinds of homes that could be built if housing codes were reformed.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Which areas in Greater Boston could become sites for more small, multifamily housing? In our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/6FONbR5 we point to Natick Station, Hersey Station in Needham, and Roslindale Station.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

In our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/6FONbR5 we explore how new, affordable, family-friendly housing could fit into three existing Greater Boston communities, using prototypical and underutilized streets.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Building code requirements make it extremely expensive or virtually impossible to build “missing middle” housing that would address the housing shortage in Boston and Massachusetts, as we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/6FONbR5

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Building codes can make it prohibitively expensive to build affordable, family-friendly housing, as we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

In our new report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/2EwDHgg produced with Sam Naylor of Nominal, we look at how changes in local building codes could lead to the construction of more affordable, family-friendly housing...

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

How can building codes be reformed to encourage the construction of more housing? We suggest one approach in our new report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Two codes govern nearly all residential construction in Massachusetts. The first is the International Residential Code (IRC), which applies to single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes, as we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

"Our research found that sprinklers are the most important element to revisit for smaller buildings.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

One way to modernize building codes and produce more housing in Massachusetts would be to allow single-staircase construction, instead of requiring two staircases, as we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Other cities and states are revising their building codes to encourage the construction of more housing.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

"Our report has two key recommendations. The first calls for the state to add resources and expand the role of the board, which governs the building code.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

One way to meet the demand for housing is to modernize building codes in ways that would make construction easier and less expensive. We explain how in our new report, which is being released today, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Next week we will release a new report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/mux9T5Q, which we produced with Sam Naylor of the architecture and design firm Nominal.

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Please join us on Zoom, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., for the author briefing of “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/Mj22QPI

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Massachusetts’ economy relies on immigrant workers, but as net international migration drops amid Trump administration policies, state industries are at risk, as we explain in our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts' Labor Force.” buff.ly/Z0WGwc2

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

In the news: Our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts' Labor Force,” buff.ly/Z0WGwc2 was featured in news reports from The Boston Business Journal, The Boston Globe, and WGBH. buff.ly/FOQevIK

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Please join us on Zoom, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., for the author briefing of “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/Mj22QPI

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

While Massachusetts has been ramping up its production of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), one state that has pulled far ahead in this work is California, as we explain in our report, “ADUs Turn One: Regulatory Barriers to production in Massachusetts and Ideas for Further Reform,” buff.ly/dpGCc95

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Accessory dwelling units are legal in Massachusetts, and they could become a source of new housing units, but they face limits, as we explain in our report, “ADUs Turn One: Regulatory Barriers to Production in Massachusetts and Ideas for Further Reform.” buff.ly/5j3FUpP

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Boston Indicators @bosindicators.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

International students contribute a great deal to this state’s economy, as we explain in our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts’ Labor Force.” buff.ly/EcE8WaA

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