Congressman Jake Auchincloss has proposed significant reforms to Massachusetts' affordable housing law, Chapter 40B, to address the state's housing supply and affordability crisis. His approach includes expanding the state's Momentum Fund to fund housing projects, utilizing decommissioned military bases for construction, and empowering Governor Maura Healey to unilaterally alter regulations in Chapter 40B. Auchincloss acknowledged that changing the 'safe harbor' threshold could provoke backlash but believes it might spur local action towards affordable housing solutions.
"That would be a nuclear option, to be clear, but it would be the kind of stick that could galvanize more local action."
"Chapter 40B is a state statute established in 1969 to streamline the often tedious local zoning approval process developers undergo to build affordable housing."
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