Mayor Proposes Ambitious Housing Plan for Newton, Massachusetts

Mayor Setti Warren has a vision for his city that includes the opportunities that brought his parents to live in the city. That means more housing, affordable to various levels of income.

1 minute read

June 25, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Mayor Setti Warren on Thursday unveiled an ambitious housing plan for the city that he says will not only provide diverse housing options, but will help preserve the characteristics and values Newton has embodied," reports Ellen Ishkanian.

"The plan identifies 70 locations across the city as potential development sites," and proposes a mix of options in price, adds Ishkanian.

Mayor Warren presented the housing plan in response to increasingly expensive housing prices. The median price for a single-family house has reached $1.1 million—up from $855,000 in 2013. There are also only four rental units in the entire city available for rent. The article describes the mayor's motivation for the plan, and how it fits into other policy proposals from his administration.

The proposal already has political opponents. Ishkanian specifies the Newton Village Alliance, which has a mission "to preserve the character and scale of Newton’s villages and residential neighborhoods" and a track record of opposing developments in the city.

Thursday, June 23, 2016 in The Boston Globe

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility

Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.

April 14, 2024 - Todd Litman

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises

Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.

3 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Rendering of Brightline West train passing through Southern California desert

Brightline West Breaks Ground

The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

4 hours ago - KTLA

Aerial view of gold state capitol dome in Denver, Colorado and Denver skyline.

Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions

In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.

5 hours ago - Colorado Politics

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.