YIMBY Dormer Amendment Passes!

This week, City Council passed a Somerville YIMBY-sponsored amendment to relax rules on building dormers in roofs. It took two years to get to this point, and we expect that we’ll begin to see the results in another two, as builders and homeowners begin to use it to add living space to attics and top floors. We’d like to give special thanks to Eliot Borenstein, who did a truly enormous amount of work studying, drafting, advocating, petitioning, re-drafting, and following up. Come celebrate with us at our monthly social on July 10th at Remnant Brewing in Bow Market!

Meanwhile in Washington, legislators managed to hammer out an agreement on the 21st Century Road to Housing bill. We’re glad to see that it intends to boost supply by streamlining permitting, rewarding local governments that liberalize zoning rules, and updates policies on things like manufactured homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Trump has 10 days to sign or veto the bill. However, the bill did pass Congress by veto-proof margins. If he doesn't sign it within 10 days of it arriving on his desk, while Congress remains in session, the bill automatically becomes law.

The Rent Control ballot question that was expected to be up for a vote this year was struck down by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court last week. It was removed on technical grounds so we should expect to see a campaign for it again with the next ballot question cycle.

Meanwhile, the Starter Homes ballot question campaign has announced they have enough signatures to proceed. That means that housing policy will still be on the ballot this fall.

The City of Somerville invites all interested community members to participate in the Davis Square Neighborhood Plan Technical Advisory Committee. This is a major opportunity to influence the neighborhood plan without making an enormous commitment of time. The future of housing in Davis Square may hang in the balance, so apply now (or at least before the July 12 application deadline).

Do you own a home in East Somerville? Does it have have more asphalt than you need? The city’s Sustainability and Environment Division and Green & Open Somerville can provide funds and volunteers to help you turn some or all of it into green space. More green space helps you AND your neighbors by improving air quality, lowering the temperature in summer, and reducing stormwater runoff. Learn more at the Cooling East Somerville project page.

July 8: Somerville YIMBY Monthly Meeting — Mostly focusing on the November state elections. 6:00 pm, online via Zoom.

July 10: Somerville YIMBY Monthly Social — Postponed one week due to holiday. Join us to celebrate the passage of our dormer amendment and other successful housing initiatives. 6:00 pm, in person at Remnant Brewing in Bow Market.

July 14: Unlocking Small Family Housing Through Building Code Reform — The Boston Foundation and Boston Indicators report on reforms that could make it easier to build small multifamily housing without sacrificing safety. 9:30 am, online via Zoom.

July 15: Zoning Board of Appeals — Agenda TBA. 6:00 pm, online via Zoom.

July 16: Cross Street Ribbon Cutting — Join Somerville Community Corporation, Reframe Systems, and Mayor Jake Wilson for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for newly built modular affordable housing. 2:00-4:00 pm, in person at 29 Cross Street East. RSVP: [email protected]

July 16: Planning Board — Agenda TBA. 6:00 pm, online via Zoom.

How to Stop the Affluent from Rigging the Housing Market: The New York Times editorial board endorses the upcoming Legalize Starter Homes ballot measure. (alternate archive link)

High court derails rent control ballot question, citing mention of religion: Rent control will not be on the ballot this year in Massachusetts, due to some technical flaws in the original petition. We expect to see it appear again in the next cycle.

Inclusionary Zoning Analysis for the City of Portland, Maine: A city-backed study investigates Portland’s strict affordability requirement and suggests ways to prevent them from backfiring.

Building Affordability: The Policy Agenda for America’s Housing Crisis: An affordable housing policy roadmap from the Economic Security Project.

Where Are the Economies of Scale in Homebuilding? Most sectors of the economy have gotten better at building more things with less money, so why has construction productivity lagged?