Thirty-four years ago, Massachusetts enacted a law that was intended to increase the supply and improve the distribution of housing for low and moderate income families by making it easier to develop affordable housing, especially in communities where local zoning and other restrictions hindered its construction. Officially titled "An Act Providing for the Construction of Low and Moderate Income Housing in Cities and Towns Where Local Restrictions Hamper Such Construction", today it is simply known as "40B" for the section of the law that implements it. In the 34 years since its passage, nearly 30,000 units of housing in more than 200 communities have been built using its provisions. Of these units, 65% are restricted for households earning less than 80% of the area median income. This report examines the history behind 40B, and offers one of the most comprehensive analysis to date of its effectiveness.

Full Report

Appendix A: 40B Resources

Appendix B: Subsidized Housing Developments Identified as Having Used 40B

Appendix C: Performance of Individual Cities and Towns in Developing Subsidized Housing

Appendix D: Regulatory Changes Made to Chapter 40B by DHCD since August 2001