South Shore 2030

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Housing on the South Shore


By 2030, the South Shore must add tens of thousands of new homes if we wish to attract a younger workforce and retain our downsizing baby boomers.

​Here is our plan to make it happen.

Why Should We Care About Housing?
The South Shore is aging rapidly, and we also have a housing shortage. That's a dire combination for  long-term economic development.

From multinational corporations to mom-and-pop shops, the employers we see to attract or retain are speaking loud and clear. They need more workers, and those workers need someplace to live. Housing also is essential to retain our current and future retirees.

Further, we know young people and older adults alike are looking for interesting centers of activity where they can live, work, and connect with their community. Housing is foundation for such integrated commercial, residential, and retail activity. 
"Our firm is in the business of helping individuals and companies plan for growth, risks, and remedies. The core of our work is planning to minimize problems or strategizing an exit after problems happen. The biggest risk, however, is lack of planning. Our economy depends on a wide range of income earners to operate cohesively. It is important that we create housing options suitable for everyone in that range. If people need to pay a burdensome amount to afford a livable home, they are less able to contribute to the economy and community. It is not a question of finding everyone their dream home. That’s not feasible. It’s a question of whether there are options available for people to downsize, upsize, or simply find a livable home within a reasonable distance of their career. If we can plan to develop housing in locations that make sense – near highways or transit for example – we can support growth and still maintain the charm of our fabulous South Shore communities. We cannot create new land, but we can plan for appropriate use of the land we have available."

Kim Kroha
​
Baker Braverman & Barbardoro P.C. 
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South Shore Housing Demographics
44,000
Number of new housing units required by 2030 to grow the South Shore's economy by 1%*

*Source: South Shore 2030: Choosing Our Future, data from 2017 South Shore Chamber Housing Report (MAPC data)
Comparison of housing stock by type
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Comparison of housing stock by year built
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Comparison of units permitted over time by type of housing
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Housing charts courtesy of MHP/DataTown.
What Is the South Shore 2030 Housing Initiative?
We see housing production as a strategy to improve our economic competitiveness for the long term. We want to build more of what the market wants - higher-density, smaller footprint housing products - which are critical to the region's future.

Our housing initiative is a partnership of local business leaders and government officials who recognize the link between multi-family housing, community vitality, and business health. They are working together in these ways:
CONNECT

OUR WORK: Serving as a liaison between the development community and local planning staff, officials, and boards regarding zoning, smart growth, infrastructure, and other matters.

MONITOR

OUR WORK: Keeping a pulse on development projects in the pipeline or underway, making select housing endorsements through public relations and our website, and encouraging the right types of projects.

COMMUNICATE

OUR WORK: Addressing the myths that can fuel resistance to new housing by hosting or participating in educational forums, focus groups, and community meetings.
REPORT

OUR WORK: Publishing data and findings with an eye on national trends that affect us, regional needs, and the hyperlocal dynamics of each town. Read our housing reports.
Housing in the News
MA passes housing choice legislation to enable zoning reform

In 2021, the Commonwealth passed legislation that encourages cities and towns to adopt zoning best practices related to housing development.

Read what changed in our blog. >>
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Thanks to Our Supporters
We are grateful for these companies and individuals for working to sustain the South Shore's long-term economic viability.
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Housing Committee
​Nancy Bailey, Co-Chair, Rockland Trust Company
Joseph Gratta, Co-Chair, Atlantic Mechanical Contractors

Judi Barrett, Barrett Planning Group LLC
Katherine Bolger, Brookline Bank
Patrick Brady, Cornerstone Realty Capital 
Rob Corley, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions 
Barry Crimmins, Platinum Partners, LLC
Phyllis DeLaricheliere, Brookdale Quincy Bay
Maureen Fitzgerald, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions
Jamie Kelliher, Axiom Architects, Inc
Jack Keniley, Strafford Ventures LLC
Jane Kudcey, Weymouth Town Hall
Brad Mahoney, Mahoney Law Group
Peter Mahoney, John M. Corcoran Company
Colin Moynihan, Ellis Realty Advisors
Patrick Neenan, First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union
William Ohrenberger, Ohrenberger, De Lisi & Harris, LLP
Janet Pistone, Jack Conway & Company, Inc.
Whitney Pulsifer, The Peabody Companies
Jed Ruccio, Mirrione, Shaughnessy & Uitti, LLC
Susan Setterland, Hanover Affordable Housing Trust
Laura Shufelt, Massachusetts Housing Partnership
Timothy Williams, Flaherty Insurance 
Ralph Willmer, Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Staff contact
Eric Dykeman | [email protected] | 781.421.3906
Go Deeper
Housing Endorsements
See which developments earned the South Shore 2030 stamp of approval.
Want to tell us about your housing project? Apply for an endorsement.
Housing Reports
Read about our activities and accomplishments in: 2021 and 2019 annual reports.
Housing Videos
View our 3-part series:
  • Session 1: Housing on the South Shore: Public Meetings, Why They Matter & How It Impacts Regional Development
  • Session 2: Transit-Oriented Development
  • Session 3: Water and Wastewater Capacity
MBTA Communities and
​Multi-Family Zoning
Read: Public comment letter about the Commonwealth's proposed housing regulations.
South Shore Economic Development Corporation
1050 Hingham Street, Rockland MA 02370  Phone: 781.421.3900 | [email protected] | sitemap
Photo Disclaimer: Photos found on website may be subject to copyright. Permission to use images was provided by development teams for use on website. Other photos were taken by staff.
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