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.
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.
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." |
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South Shore Housing Demographics
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44,000
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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
Comparison of Housing stock by year built
comparison of Units permitted over time by type of housing
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:
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:
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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
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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
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
Courtney Bjorgaard | [email protected] | 781.421.3915
Go Deeper
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Housing Endorsements
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See which developments earned the South Shore 2030 stamp of approval.
Want to tell us about your housing project? Apply for an endorsement. |
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Housing Videos
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View our 3-part series:
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MBTA Communities and
Multi-Family Zoning |
