Resource

As Massachusetts faces a housing shortfall of more than 200,000 units, recent landmark policies such as the MBTA Communities Law and the Affordable Homes Act have positioned the state as a national leader in unlocking housing supply via zoning reform. Because Massachusetts is a Home Rule state, the effectiveness of state housing reforms hinges in part on local governments adopting compliant policies, therefore making local advocacy critical. Through Smart Growth America’s Massachusetts Equitable Development Technical Assistance program, we help community-based organizations build policy knowledge, strengthen local coalitions, and advocate effectively for zoning and housing changes rooted in community priorities.

During this program, SGA provided tailored support to four local partners working in diverse contexts: CultureHouse; Westside Legends; Lowell Alliance; and Greater Newburyport Housing Choice Coalition.

The program surfaced four key lessons:

1. Strong leadership and clear direction from the state create the foundation for meaningful reform.
2. Local engagement and advocacy are essential to translating policy into action.
3. Smart Growth principles can be embedded in everything from planning documents to community engagement strategies.
4. Creative communications, including storytelling and visual tools, can make complex housing topics more accessible to a broader audience.

This report highlights how these four community-based organizations leveraged state housing policy to advance local land use reform. With support from SGA’s Massachusetts Equitable Development Technical Assistance Program, they are transforming statewide mandates into lasting, community-driven change.