Way Finders releases findings from first-ever four-county western Massachusetts housing study
Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties covered in study
Way Finders and its research partner, the UMass Donahue Institute, released findings from "Building Homes. Building Futures.", its first-ever housing study to cover Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties.
"Our research confirms that western Massachusetts is facing a severe housing shortage. Although the region is more affordable than other parts of the state, incomes are lower, and remain out of sync with prevailing home prices, burdening households. This burden is especially acute for low-income, renter, and BIPOC households,” said Dr. Mark Melnik, director of the Economic & Public Policy Research group at the UMass Amherst Donahue Institute.
“Housing is at the center of our region’s economic future,” says Keith Fairey, Way Finders President and CEO. “The answer to the housing crisis is clear: we need to build more homes. Housing promotes thriving communities and helps grow businesses and stronger schools. "Building Homes. Building Futures." provides the critical information our communities need to understand the housing crisis and to create the solutions we need.”
Western Massachusetts needs 23,000 new housing units to meet current demand. Even with projected declines in population locally, the gap will still be over 16,700 units by 2035. The report, along with its online interactive data dashboards, provides western Massachusetts communities with information to address this crisis. Read more.
October 01, 2025
