Massachusetts speeds up housing development
The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Massachusetts (HBRAMA) advocates to enact housing solutions into local legislation. The HBRAMA worked with Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey to shape draft regulations that would speed up housing development.
Jeffrey A. Brem, P.E., a HBRAMA and Commission on Unlocking Housing Production (UHPC) member. The UHPC was established by Healey in 2023 to identify and advance policy solutions that remove barriers to housing production. It includes priorities tied to streamlining economic incentives and workforce development, land use and zoning, regulations, codes and permitting and statewide planning and local coordination. Brem urged other home building industry members contribute their time and expertise to actively engage with lawmakers and key housing stakeholders.
Brem’s efforts show that change is possible. His work with UHPC released the Building for Tomorrow outline with over 50 recommendations and initiatives from professionals to produce more housing development and lower costs. A recommendation to reduce environmental review times for housing projects across the state from one year or more to 30 days was drafted by Healy.
“This was a huge win,” said Brem. “The regulatory change could unleash dozens if not hundreds of projects bottled up by the current reporting requirements.”
