There is no doubt that there is a housing affordability crisis in Massachusetts and Framingham is no exception. Starter homes and condos are out of reach for young families. Housing dedicated to people ages 55+ is far too expensive for most Framingham residents. 

The solution to this crisis is to do more with our existing housing stock, not to greenlight massive apartment complexes all over Framingham. In fact, we have added hundreds of apartments in downtown Framingham but 90% of the units we added were completely unaffordable and it is a problem that we are only really adding apartments in Framingham when condo units would allow younger people and older adults who are downsizing to gain equity over time rather than squandering most of their monthly income on rent. 

In addition, the lack of a robust and reliable public transportation system is driving more and more cars onto our roads. Whether it is in Nobscot or on 135, new construction being proposed seems to have a primary purpose of lining the pockets of developers- and its poor design and site selection is destroying our remaining open space while leaving local residents out in the cold.

Instead, Framingham can take specific steps today to create more housing with the buildings we already have:

1. Work with community partners like Jewish Family Services of Metrowest to bring a Homesmare program to Framingham. Homeshare is a service that connects older residents in homes with other older adults or younger people to share a home and build a supportive mutually beneficial relationship. The diverse population of Framingham is a perfect setting for Homeshare.
2. Allow for accessory dwelling units (ADU) aka in-law apartments with appropriate city controls and supervision. Many homes could be adjusted to allow a separate entry for a family member allowing a senior or adult with disabilities to live independently in a safe environment.
3. Incentivize apartment building owners to convert some units to rent-to-own condos to allow renters to build equity over time and own property in Framingham. We need to bridge the financial gap for young high school and college graduates to stay in Framingham and build lasting roots in our city. Overly expensive rental units have not helped our community.

There are ways that Framingham can encourage affordable construction by allowing for new construction of small houses on small lots and incentivizing condos instead of rental apartments, and there is so much we could do with the housing stock we already have. 

Affordability is not going to come from reckless new construction – it needs to be a strategic process that makes the most of the houses and buildings we already have, and it needs to prioritize the kind of housing that helps people build equity and put down roots in the community.