{
  "id": 2008251,
  "title": "Massachusetts House and Senate move toward housing goals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/massachusetts-house-and-senate-move-toward-housing-goals",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T20:25:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/19/massachusetts-house-and-senate-move-toward-housing-goals"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Massachusetts faces a housing crisis, with the state needing to construct 222,000 new homes by 2035 to meet demand, according to Gov. Maura Healey’s office. This crisis is compounded by a rising migration out of the state and a struggling job market, leading to employers finding it difficult to fill open positions. In response, the House and Senate incorporated several housing-related measures into their respective economic development bills, which were passed in July. A conference committee is now deliberating on which measures will be incorporated into the final bill.\n\nA provision in the House bill, known as the Yes in God’s Backyard, or YIGBY, would permit faith-based organizations to construct multifamily housing on up to four acres of land they already own without local approval. These developments could encompass up to 30 units per acre, with 20% designated as income-restricted, or even denser if more affordable units are set aside. The buildings could reach heights of up to 45 feet, or potentially taller based on local zoning regulations.\n\nThis YIGBY provision is rooted in several bills that were introduced this legislative session but did not pass as standalone legislation. According to an analysis by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and The Lynch Foundation, there are approximately 5,000 developable parcels in Massachusetts owned by religious institutions, covering over 20,000 acres. If half of these parcels were developed, they could yield an additional $60 million in annual tax revenue. Katie Everett, the executive director of the Lynch Foundation, noted that these developments would generate homes for over 60,000 people.\n\nNew Bedford officials, however, are skeptical about the YIGBY provision in their city. Jonathan Darling, the city's public information officer, stated that city departments do not anticipate any initiatives stemming from the YIGBY provision in New Bedford. He did not elaborate on the amount of land in New Bedford owned by religious institutions. A developer plans to convert the Holy Family Holy Name School at 91 Summer St. into 44 condominiums; however, the land is under the ownership of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River. Since the YIGBY provision excludes zoning-designated land for schools, the proposed project would not qualify as a YIGBY development.\n\nRep. Steven Ouellette, representing the South Coast, expressed optimism about the possibility of developing housing on religious property. He highlighted three communities in his district — Westport, Freetown, and Acushnet — which are open to the idea of housing on religiously owned land. Ouellette mentioned that some congregations have faced financial challenges and are reducing their church attendance. He suggested that these closures present an opportunity for congregations to live out their faith mission by developing affordable housing for community members. Nevertheless, Ouellette remains cautious about the potential for overdevelopment in his communities, a concern shared by New Bedford officials.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Massachusetts needs 222,000 new homes by 2035 to address housing crisis",
    "House and Senate included housing measures in economic development bills",
    "YIGBY provision allows faith-based organizations to build multifamily housing without local approval"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}