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On wealthy Martha’s Vineyard, costly housing is forcing workers out and threatening public safety

A new report lays out in stark terms just how many low- and middle-income folks are being forced to move away from Martha's Vineyard as its popularity with wealthy vacationers soars, causing the year-round population of 20,000 to swell up to tenfold over summer.

Another month, another home price record for Greater Boston
The mark set in May was yet another historical home price record for the region and a 5.5 percent increase from May of 2023, in what has been a decade-long period of skyrocketing housing costs.

Housing costs take a mounting toll on Boston-area businesses, survey says
More than four-fifths of Mass. Business Roundtable members say the issue affects whether they grow or shrink here.

A tax on high-dollar home sales had a clear path on Beacon Hill. Then the real estate industry stepped in.

After House leaders signaled support for a new fee on pricey real estate, the influential industry kicked into gear to change their minds.

Plympton home built in 17th century on market for $800k. Take a look inside.
The three-bedroom saltbox home was recently featured on Zillow Gone Wild.

New top housing cop: Campbell names head of new unit to enforce state housing laws
Esme Caramello currently oversees Harvard’s legal aid clinic and led a push to seal eviction records.

The YIMBYs are coming, to the suburbs
There's a fast-growing network of new advocacy groups that have sprung up in suburbs across Greater Boston, whose members go to public meetings to say yes to more housing development, instead of no.

Cape Cod mansion owned by Harry Connick Jr. hits market for $12.5 million
The Grammy-winning singer’s Chatham vacation home sits on a bluff offering panoramic views of Oyster Pond and includes a swimming pool, private dock, and boathouse.

More Housing Headlines

Boston’s housing market is through the roof. At least we’re not San Francisco.

In the first quarter of 2024, only four of the 30 largest metro areas in the US eclipsed Boston in terms of median sales price for single-family homes.

Despite high-profile losses, most towns passed their MBTA Communities plans this spring

At least 67 communities have approved zoning they think will meet the law’s requirements, and roughly 50 of those votes have come in the last couple of months. Still, the opposition movement is gaining some momentum.

‘A sobering statistic’: The typical house here now costs $950,000

The record-breaking figure represents an unmitigated housing crisis that is pushing homeownership further out of reach for everyday people.

The state’s new housing law aimed to help fix the affordability crisis. Experts now say it won’t deliver.

As towns file their MBTA Communities plans with the state, many are drawing zones that will likely produce far less new housing than the law anticipates. And it’s entirely by the book.

Healey launches political advocacy group to dive into local housing fights

The governor and the lieutenant governor have set up a nonprofit called One Commonwealth Inc. to provide grassroots support in pro-housing efforts at the town level.

A Cambridge City Council panel’s proposal would legalize six-story buildings. Everywhere.

The ambitious proposal, designed to tackle the city’s housing crisis, would essentially scrap the current neighborhood-by-neighborhood zoning scheme.

no stupid questions

Deciding where to live? Here’s your Greater Boston Neighborhood Vibe Check™.

Are you seeking a hustle-and-bustle spot? A bohemian enclave? A quiet residential nook? Good news: We’ve got all of them in spades.

Map: Nearly 200 towns must rezone under the MBTA Communities law. Has your town complied?

More than 130 communities are working to pass new zoning rules that will make it easier to build multifamily housing, and dozens of local votes are coming this year.