Bureau Brief—Massachusetts Comprehensive Permit Act—Chapter 40B

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B was adopted in 1969 as part of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Permit Act to encourage and facilitate the building of affordable, long term housing for low-income individuals and families across the Commonwealth and to ensure that low-income residents can remain in their localities if housing costs increase. Since that time, however, only 14% of Massachusetts municipalities have affordability deed restrictions on at least 10% of all housing units, the threshold established in the Act. This Bureau Brief reviews Chapter 40B, its implications for local affordable housing development, and the status of Greater Worcester communities in meeting the Chapter 40B affordable housing threshold.