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Massachusetts is advancing bold housing reform—but real progress depends on local action. Our new report highlights how community-based advocacy, supported through Smart Growth America’s equitable development technical assistance program, is helping turn state policy into on-the-ground housing solutions.

Massachusetts is facing a critical housing shortage, with a need for over 200,000 new homes to meet demand. The state has taken bold steps to address this challenge through landmark legislation such as the MBTA Communities Law and the Affordable Homes Act. Because Massachusetts is a Home Rule state, the effectiveness of state housing reforms hinges in part on local governments adopting compliant policies. Therefore, turning these ambitious reforms into real, equitable housing opportunities depends on action at the local level.

By partnering with community-based organizations deeply rooted in their neighborhoods, our Massachusetts Equitable Development Technical Assistance (MA TA) helps translate statewide housing reforms into meaningful change on the ground.

Why local advocacy matters

While state leadership provides vital direction and funding, the complex work of updating zoning codes, influencing local planning, and mobilizing community support falls to local advocates. Community-based organizations (CBOs) bring essential knowledge, trust, and relationships, especially among historically excluded populations, to this challenging process.

Since 2022, SGA’s MA TA program has resulted in  four partnerships with outstanding organizations across Massachusetts, each working in unique contexts but united by a shared commitment to equitable housing. These trusted local groups bring deep community knowledge, especially in neighborhoods historically excluded from planning processes, and are essential in building support for zoning reform, influencing local decisions, and educating residents.

CultureHouse: Based in a dense, transit-rich city near Boston, CultureHouse transforms vacant spaces into vibrant neighborhood hubs through creative, community-centered design. With Smart Growth America’s support, CultureHouse enhanced its engagement approach by integrating zoning and land use education, developing accessible materials on housing topics, and refining its community feedback process. These efforts help connect their placemaking work with affordable housing and equitable development goals, empowering residents to participate in shaping their neighborhoods’ futures.

Westside Legends: Founded by two lifelong residents, Westside Legends began as a grassroots initiative focused on homeownership education, community gardens, and local connection in a neighborhood long impacted by systemic disinvestment. Over time, and with technical assistance from SGA, the organization has grown into an emerging affordable housing developer, advancing sustainable, community-driven investment. Their work includes building trust with city officials, developing strategic plans, and exploring innovative funding and sustainable building practices, all aimed at creating lasting wealth and stability for BIPOC residents.

Lowell Alliance: Serving a predominantly immigrant and ethnically diverse community, Lowell Alliance is a relative newcomer to housing and zoning advocacy. Just before partnering with SGA, they engaged hundreds of residents in a grassroots housing campaign that surfaced urgent local challenges such as high rents and overcrowding. With SGA’s support, Lowell Alliance has deepened its understanding of complex housing policies, developed advocacy tools and accessible communications, and built the capacity to influence local housing reforms. This growing platform ensures that the voices of Lowell’s most vulnerable residents help shape the city’s housing future.

Greater Newburyport Housing Choice Coalition: Operating across multiple municipalities near the New Hampshire border, the Greater Newburyport Housing Choice Coalition (GNHCC) coordinates regional efforts to promote inclusive housing policies in a generally higher-income area. Leveraging its broad perspective, GNHCC works to align local zoning with statewide housing mandates and expand multifamily housing opportunities. With SGA’s help identifying zoning barriers and tailoring recommendations, the coalition maintains a sustained and focused push for housing reform, balancing top-down leadership with grassroots engagement.

Lessons learned and looking ahead

Through this work, four key lessons have emerged:

• Strong state leadership sets a foundation, but local engagement drives implementation.
• Smart growth principles can and should be embedded across systems and sectors.
• Creative, accessible communications are essential to connect complex housing issues to everyday residents.
• Supporting trusted community leaders is key to ensuring that ambitious policies translate into equitable, on-the-ground change.

Together, Smart Growth America and its partners in Massachusetts are building a future where housing is accessible, inclusive, and connected to the places people call home. As the state continues to lead with bold housing policy, it is these local advocates, empowered with knowledge, tools, and trusted relationships, who will bring that vision to life.

Read the full report for more on our work together!