Massachusetts Identifies 450 Acres State Land for Thousands Housing Units

Massachusetts is advancing a major initiative to develop housing on state-owned land, identifying over 450 acres across more than three dozen sites for several thousand new homes, including affordable and middle-income options, with projects underway at locations such as the former Boston State Hospital and the old Veterans home in Chelsea. Governor Maura Healey emphasized the potential for transforming vacant buildings and state properties like the closed MCI Concord prison into housing, with developer proposals expected soon. Meanwhile, in California, Portola Valley has successfully recertified its housing element after addressing state zoning requirements, enabling the town to comply with multifamily housing regulations and progress on housing development. In Sioux City, Iowa, a $5 million redevelopment plan includes restoring a historic building and creating green space, featuring apartments and retail space aimed at revitalizing downtown. Additionally, Ramsey County in Minnesota has established an Economic Development Authority, expanding its Housing Redevelopment Authority’s funding flexibility to support mixed-use projects that combine affordable housing with commercial uses, aiming to foster more vibrant communities beyond traditional public housing models.