Affordable housing and clean safe communities are top priorities for the Boston Foundation.  Every year, the Foundation—in partnership with the The Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy—publishes the Housing Report Card, which tracks progress made in housing starts, rental units and other trends. 

The Foundation also convenes the Commonwealth Housing Task Force, a group of housing experts that drafted groundbreaking legislation to promote Smart Growth housing in Massachusetts.  The landmark Smart Growth Housing Act (Chapter 40R), was passed in 2004, and the next year, the Smart Growth School Reimbursement Act (Chapter 40S) was passed.  Already 16 communities have approved Smart Growth districts that will add some 5,600 units of new housing, with 30 more towns in the pipeline.

Housing & Community Development Spotlight:

Boston Foundation releases Greater Boston Housing Report card for 2009 The the key finding of the seventh annual Greater Boston Housing Report Card, released on October 28, 2009, is that Greater Boston is less affordable today than it was a year ago, compared to its leading competitor cities. Learn more »

Indicators-related research: October 08, 2009 Connect to the Boston Indicators Project's Housing sector for data, trends, research and resources October 08, 2009 Housint & Transportation Affordability Index July 01, 2009 Policy Action Brief: Affordable Housing and Children's Health		Selected grants: June 10, 2010 Fairmount Indigo Line CDC Collaborative June 10, 2010 City Life/Vida Urbana March 30, 2010 MA Association of CDCs
More Indicators-related research »		More »

  

Recent Housing & Community Development Reports:

The Greater Boston Housing Report Card, 2006 - 2007 The fifth annual survey of the state of housing in Greater Boston provides a sobering overview of the region’s economy at a time when stresses—eroding home values, a tighter mortgage market, flat or falling incomes and a sharp decline in housing starts—add up to a “perfect housing storm,” according to Barry Bluestone, a co-author of the report. Read Report

Preventing Homelessness and Promoting Housing Stability: A Comparative Analysis This third and final evaluation report provides invaluable information not only about the impact of the Homelessness Prevention Initiative, but two other complimentary programs - RAFT and RAFT-Plus - and provides important contributions to the ongoing discussion about preventing homelessness.     Read Report

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Housing & Community Development Forums:

From Paradigm to Paradox: Understanding Greater Boston's New Housing Market October 28, 2008 On October 28th, at a forum attended by more than 100 people, theBoston Foundation released its sixth annual survey of the regional housing market, delivering sobering news to both homebuyers and homeowners. This year’sGreater Boston “Housing Report Card” reflects a population that is continuing to age and a growing economic misfit between the cost of living and income. The forum was co-sponsored by Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association.

The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2006-2007 October 18, 2007 The fifth annual survey of the state of housing in Greater Boston provides a sobering overview of the region’s economy at a time when there are a number of stresses, including eroding home values, a tighter mortgage market, flat or falling incomes and a sharp decline in housing starts. “This all adds up to a perfect housing storm,” said Barry Bluestone, head of Northeastern’s Center for Urban and Regional Policy which develops the study. Bonnie Heudorfer is co-author along with Bluestone.

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