Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead
28 Mugford Street Marblehead, MA 01945
Affordable Housing
Housing presents some challenges as the Boston area has some of the highest housing costs in the nation. State and local governments have worked to ease the burden for as many persons as funds and voter attitudes allow. The committee and UUCM members generally support these programs and we have worked to increase local understanding.
In particular, a Meetinghouse Lecture event in June, 2021, explained the legal terminology and history in Marblehead of efforts to improve the availability of "affordable" housing. The presenters have made their material available and we make them available to you, here.
Upcoming event
Multifamily Housing in Marblehead? Just the Facts
Sunday, February 2, 2025 2:00 - 4:00 PM
The MBTA Communities Act (3A Zoning), requires towns and cities like Marblehead that have access to MBTA Services to create at least one area in which multifamily housing is available by right. Today 70% of Marblehead is zoned for single family occupancy only, and the entry fee for home ownership is about a million dollars. These realities create monetary barriers for young families seeking housing, Marblehead retirees who would like to downsize, town employees who can't currently afford to live here, and local businesses hard-pressed to find staff.
Last year at Town Meeting Marbleheaders narrowly voted down compliance with the MBTA Communities Act due largely to fears, concerns, and possible misconceptions about the law's impacts on the town. As a result, Marblehead will face severe penalties, including a loss of access to millions of dollars in state grant money. What's more, a recent decision by the state's Supreme Judicial Court means that the town would likely face additional court-imposed sanctions or even a court-imposed zoning map.
A case in point: Marblehead last year had been awarded $265,000 in state grants to fund a Five Corners redesign project as well as development of a comprehensive town master plan. But now the town stands to lose that funding due to noncompliance with the state law.
Given this situation, the Marblehead Select Board may sponsor an article on the May 2025 Town Meeting Warrant to address compliance.
The Meetinghouse speakers will discuss the potential repercussions of noncompliance but also why the state's zoning law is, in fact, good for Marblehead. The meeting will include a Q&A for attendees to ask questions and voice their concerns.