Bill > S704

This bill proposes to amend Section 21 of Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws, which governs affordable housing development through a process called a "comprehensive permit." The key provision is that all low and moderate-income housing units developed under this comprehensive permit process must have a "use restriction" that lasts forever, meaning the property must remain affordable housing in perpetuity. However, local boards, which are typically town or city planning and zoning bodies, will have the authority to waive this perpetual requirement, but only if they replace it with a different use restriction that is still substantial, lasting for at least 30 years.