Senate Mulls 'Bold' Housing Reforms in Massachusetts

Senators consider zoning and permitting changes, but aim to balance impact of recent MBTA Communities Act.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:31am

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Massachusetts state senators are considering a range of 'bold' housing policy reforms this legislative session, including potential zoning and permitting changes, as they seek to address the state's longstanding housing shortage. However, lawmakers are also mindful of the lingering impacts of the recently passed MBTA Communities Act, which has drawn pushback from some municipalities.

Why it matters

Housing affordability and availability have been major issues in Massachusetts for years, with the state facing a significant housing deficit. Lawmakers are under pressure to enact meaningful reforms, but must balance the needs of different communities and stakeholders as they pursue new policies.

The details

The Senate is mulling reforms such as eliminating minimum lot sizes, allowing for the splitting of larger lots into smaller residential lots, and reducing parking minimum requirements - all part of the 'Yes in My Back Yard (YIMBY)' bill. Senators are also considering the 'Yes in God's Back Yard (YIGBY)' proposal to enable multi-family zoning on properties owned by faith-based organizations. Additionally, a bill to examine legalizing six-story residential buildings with a single staircase, rather than the current two-staircase requirement, is being considered.

  • In December 2025, the Senate Housing Committee favorably reported out the YIMBY bill.
  • The YIMBY and YIGBY bills, as well as the single-staircase proposal, are currently before the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The players

Sen. Will Brownsberger

A Democratic state senator who serves on the Housing Committee and has indicated the Senate wants to be 'bold' in pursuing housing reforms.

Jesse Kanson-Benanav

The executive director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts, an advocacy group supporting the YIMBY and single-staircase proposals.

Rachel Heller

The CEO of the Citizens' Housing and Planning Association, a housing advocacy organization.

Andrew Mikula

A researcher at the Pioneer Institute who has expressed concerns about 'zoning fatigue' on Beacon Hill.

Gov. Maura Healey

The governor of Massachusetts, who has registered her opposition to a proposed ballot measure on rent control.

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What they’re saying

“The Senate definitely wants to be bold, to do big things and continue to move the needle forward.”

— Sen. Will Brownsberger, State Senator (Charles River Regional Chamber forum)

“Passing a law on rent control is not going to work. We've already talked to hundreds of investors that look at Massachusetts now saying, 'We'll just invest our dollars down South – we'll move our dollars somewhere else.' So we really need to find ways to increase supply across the board.”

— Joe Campanelli, CEO, Needham Bank (bankerandtradesman.com)

“While we may have zoning fatigue...zoning determines what gets built, what doesn't get built. And that translates into who can live there and who can't live there. And we need to keep working on that because you can't build what's not allowed.”

— Rachel Heller, CEO, Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (bankerandtradesman.com)

What’s next

The YIMBY and YIGBY bills, as well as the single-staircase proposal, will next be considered by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Additionally, Gov. Healey is expected to release her fiscal 2027 budget on Wednesday, which may provide further signals about the administration's housing priorities.

The takeaway

Massachusetts lawmakers are seeking to enact bold housing reforms to address the state's longstanding housing shortage, but must balance the impacts of recent legislation like the MBTA Communities Act. The outcome of these efforts could have significant implications for housing affordability and availability across the Commonwealth.