Housing

Boston and Massachusetts are some of the most expensive housing markets to buy and rent across the country. With sky-rocketing housing costs and a long-term imbalance in the demand and supply, owning a home is out of reach for many people.

As a policymaker, the immediate need is to address the housing crisis and create housing supply. I have voted in support of a number of measures to do so, including:

• Passing the MBTA Communities Act to help create new affordable housing near commuter rail, subway and bus stations, and ferry terminals. While more work is needed to build quality, affordable housing, this is a strong start that will pay dividends in the coming years.
• Passing the Affordable Homes Act, which invests $5.16 billion to help address Massachusetts current housing crisis.This program will increase housing production, modernize public housing, and expand opportunities for first time homebuyers and to continue to build more housing for low and moderate income residents. By increasing the housing supply and investing in existing communities, the Affordable Homes Act aims to make housing more affordable and accessible to residents and families.
• Supporting the funding of a study on Housing Construction Affordability to explore how the removal of sales tax for certain housing supply items will reduce housing construction costs.

I also voted to ban brokers’ fees to protect our renters.