Affordable Homes Act Targets ADUs, ‘Seasonal Communities’ in Massachusetts

A new Massachusetts law signed by Governor Maura Healey will invest over $5 billion to address the housing crisis over the next five years. As Mitch M. Rosenthal writes in Hoodline, the Affordable Homes Act is expected to support the construction or rehabilitation of over 65,000 housing units in the state and supports the modernization of public housing and support for first-time homebuyers.

“Among the policies is a key change allowing accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, under 900 square feet to be built by right on single-family lots, a uniform approach that simplifies what was formerly a mixed bag of zoning regulations.” The administration predicts that property owners will build 8,000 to 10,000 ADUs thanks to the new law, though other obstacles to development could slow their growth.

The law includes provisions targeted at ‘Seasonal Communities,’ towns like Cape Cod where housing needs vary throughout the year. “Moreover, new guidance for responsible contracting has been announced, aiming to protect construction workers on affordable housing projects funded by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities from wage theft and other labor law violations.”