15 Cities, 1 Mission: Build More Housing

A coalition of 15 cities in the Boston area agreed to rapidly build new housing to relieve pressure on the regional housing market.

1 minute read

October 4, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Pedestrian Bridge

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation / Mystic River Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing

"The mayors of 15 cities and towns in the core of Greater Boston agreed Tuesday to sharply accelerate the pace of home construction in a bid to help tackle the region’s housing crisis," reports Tim Logan.

The goal is to build 185,000 new homes by 2030 to keep pace with the region's growing population and employment base. The same cities have permitted 32,5000 new homes since 2010.

The news of the regional coalition that includes cities like Newton, Braintree, Winthrop, and Somerville follows shortly after the news that Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh had announced a revised housing plan that sets a target for 69,000 additional units in the city by 2030.

The article includes discussion about how the regional plan might take shape.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018 in The Boston Globe

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight