Photo of a tall brick building with many windows in it. On the ground floor of the building there are numerous red awnings.

Homes for Everyone

MetroCommon 2050 Goal: All residents of Metro Boston have places to live that meet their needs, and that they can afford.

MBTA Communities/3A By the Numbers

Section 3A of MGL Chapter 40A requires MBTA communities in Massachusetts to zone for multifamily housing.

MAPC provided technical assistance to 24 communities as they worked towards 3A compliance. The technical assistance services ranged from visioning, engagement, and compliance testing/modeling to drafting zoning and adoption support.
MAPC provided economic feasibility assessments to six communities to ensure affordable housing is built under new zoning.
With support from Massachusetts Housing Partnership, MAPC convened the 12 Rapid Transit Communities (RTCs) over the course of 2023 to support their compliance efforts. In the end, all 12 communities adopted by-right multi-family zoning.

A map of the Greater Boston metro region area with the 12 Rapid Transit Communities (Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Milton, Newton, Quincy, Revere, and Somerville) colored in dark blue.

The 12 Rapid Transit Communities (RTC)

Braintree · Brookline · Cambridge · Chelsea · Everett · Malden · Medford · Milton · Newton · Quincy · Revere · Somerville

Did You Know?
MAPC received a $350,000 grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1969, making it the first planning agency in the country to receive support that would fund an entire year of work.