Costs, benefits of mixed-income housing developments in MA
The cost of living, especially housing, has been widely recognized as a major challenge for the Commonwealth. In considering development of new housing, municipalities confront the dual challenges of fiscal stress and the need for additional affordable housing.
A key question for the public, local, and state officials is whether new mixed-income housing developments (often called “40B” projects) contribute to local budgetary shortfalls by costing more in services, particularly education, than is generated in taxes.
The Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) has engaged the UMass Donahue Institute to conduct a major study analyzing the actual fiscal impacts of mixed-income housing developments. This project builds upon previous collaborations between CHAPA, the UMass Donahue Institute, and faculty at UMass Amherst.
February 15, 2007
