Boston Councilor Calls for Rollback of Affordable Housing Rules

Ed Flynn says Mayor Wu's inclusionary zoning requirements are stalling development and worsening affordability in the city.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is urging Mayor Michelle Wu to roll back the city's inclusionary zoning requirements for new development, which he says are halting housing production and worsening affordability in the city. Flynn is proposing that the city's '20%' inclusionary zoning requirement, which sets aside a certain percentage of units as affordable housing for new construction, go back to the 13% threshold it was at before the mayor's changes took effect in October 2024.

Why it matters

Affordable housing has been a major issue in Boston, with rising costs and limited supply. Councilor Flynn argues that the increased inclusionary zoning requirements are actually stifling overall housing development and reducing the total number of affordable units being built, which could further exacerbate the city's affordability crisis.

The details

Flynn cited reports showing housing production in Boston has dropped from 9,800 units in 2020 to just 852 in the first half of 2025, and that the city has lagged 16 peer cities in production in 2024. He believes a temporary rollback of the inclusionary zoning requirement to 13% could help spur more overall housing development, even if the percentage of affordable units is lower.

  • In October 2024, the city's inclusionary zoning requirements increased from 13% to 17-20%, depending on building size and affordability.
  • Flynn plans to introduce a resolution on Wednesday calling for the City Council to back his proposal.

The players

Ed Flynn

A Boston City Councilor who is calling for Mayor Wu to roll back the city's inclusionary zoning requirements.

Michelle Wu

The Mayor of Boston who implemented the increased inclusionary zoning requirements in October 2024.

Kairos Shen

The Chief of Planning for the City of Boston.

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What they’re saying

“Following several years of post-pandemic inflation, a high interest rate environment, rising construction costs and tariffs, I believe it is long past time for elected officials and leaders in our city and state to acknowledge the reality that while we do not control many of the big picture economic conditions, we should do everything we can within our power to make any adjustments that will help spur development of housing and affordable units in our city.”

— Ed Flynn, Boston City Councilor (Boston Herald)

“While these aforementioned factors are central to this issue, a 20% affordable housing rate is certainly not helping to produce enough new units to meet demand in Boston while facing such strong economic headwinds.”

— Ed Flynn, Boston City Councilor (Boston Herald)

What’s next

Flynn plans to introduce a resolution on Wednesday calling for the City Council to back his proposal to temporarily roll back the inclusionary zoning requirement.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the difficult tradeoffs cities face in trying to balance the need for more affordable housing with policies that could inadvertently stifle overall housing development. Councilor Flynn believes a temporary rollback of the inclusionary zoning rules could help spur more construction, even if the percentage of affordable units is lower in the short term.