The proposed legislation is intended to encourage local governments to adopt inclusionary zoning practices that create affordable housing options without significantly limiting housing development. The language in the bill emphasizes the importance of not unduly constraining housing production in areas affected by such zoning ordinances. By incentivizing inclusionary zoning, the bill aligns with broader goals of addressing housing shortages and ensuring community needs for diverse housing types are met.
Summary
House Bill 2356, titled 'An Act incentivizing inclusionary zoning,' aims to promote the development of affordable housing in Massachusetts. This bill seeks to amend Chapter 40A by laying out specific guidelines that local municipalities must consider when implementing zoning ordinances related to affordable housing. A key provision of the bill is that it allows municipalities to require that up to 13 percent of new housing units are designated as affordable, thus directly impacting local housing policies and planning efforts.
Contention
While supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary step toward meeting housing demands and providing more affordable options, there may be contention around the feasibility of the proposed requirements. Some critics may raise concerns about the potential pressure on developers and the balance required to maintain economic viability of housing projects while promoting affordable housing. Additionally, the specifics of the density bonus provision and its implementation could become points of debate among stakeholders involved in housing policy.
Directing the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to study the feasibility of incentivizing inpatient psychiatric hospitals to admit patients directly from community behavioral health centers