Housing on the South Shore: Public Meeting Participation

This session offered attendees an opportunity to explore the complexities around development and the local planning process across Massachusetts. This was the first in a 3-part series focused on better informing our business community and regional leaders about opportunities and challenges around housing production across our region. We hope this series inspires business leaders to get involved in our economic development work and be a part of our South Shore 2030 plan. The series is brought ​to you by the South Shore Chamber’s Housing Committee, a working committee of committed professionals from various backgrounds committed to housing as an economic development strategy for the region. Our Housing Initiative work is made possible through generous funding from Rockland Trust Bank, Massachusetts Housing Partnership, Cape Cod Lumber, Fireking Baking Company & Sullivan Tire. 

Forum Recap: Boston University's Initiative on Cities Neighborhood Defenders Project examines who attends public meetings and how that shapes development (or lack thereof) in our communities. The presentation offered an examination of public participation across the South Shore, who attends, why it matters, how it impacts our region’s ability to be economically competitive. Following the presentation, attendees asked questions and had a discussion about how we can have a greater impact in the development process across our communities. Included below, you will find a link to the session recording, presentation materials and a link to the book by our guest presenter David Glick and his colleagues from Boston University. 

Link to presentation slides from Associate Professor David Glick: Presentation

Link to book by presenter & team from Boston University: Neighborhood Defenders, Participatory Politics and America's Housing Crisis

This work would not be possible without our Funders – thank you to Rockland Trust Bank, Massachusetts Housing Partnership, Cape Cod Lumber, Fireking Baking Company & Sullivan Tire for your continued support of our Housing Initiative. ​​We welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about our 2030 work and ways to get involved and engaged. Please contact Courtney Bjorgaard at [email protected] to learn more. 

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