Building more small multifamily housing (SMH) in Boston and Massachusetts is one important way to improve residents’ quality of life. As we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/0yUj13D, policymakers could change the building code...

In our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/6FONbR5 we include images of the many kinds of homes that could be built if housing codes were reformed.

Which areas in Greater Boston could become sites for more small, multifamily housing? In our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/6FONbR5 we point to Natick Station, Hersey Station in Needham, and Roslindale Station.

In our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/6FONbR5 we explore how new, affordable, family-friendly housing could fit into three existing Greater Boston communities, using prototypical and underutilized streets.

Building code requirements make it extremely expensive or virtually impossible to build “missing middle” housing that would address the housing shortage in Boston and Massachusetts, as we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/6FONbR5

Building codes can make it prohibitively expensive to build affordable, family-friendly housing, as we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

In our new report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/2EwDHgg produced with Sam Naylor of Nominal, we look at how changes in local building codes could lead to the construction of more affordable, family-friendly housing...

How can building codes be reformed to encourage the construction of more housing? We suggest one approach in our new report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

Two codes govern nearly all residential construction in Massachusetts. The first is the International Residential Code (IRC), which applies to single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes, as we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

"Our research found that sprinklers are the most important element to revisit for smaller buildings.

One way to modernize building codes and produce more housing in Massachusetts would be to allow single-staircase construction, instead of requiring two staircases, as we explain in our report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

Other cities and states are revising their building codes to encourage the construction of more housing.

"Our report has two key recommendations. The first calls for the state to add resources and expand the role of the board, which governs the building code.

One way to meet the demand for housing is to modernize building codes in ways that would make construction easier and less expensive. We explain how in our new report, which is being released today, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/2EwDHgg

Next week we will release a new report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” buff.ly/mux9T5Q, which we produced with Sam Naylor of the architecture and design firm Nominal.

Please join us on Zoom, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., for the author briefing of “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/Mj22QPI

Massachusetts’ economy relies on immigrant workers, but as net international migration drops amid Trump administration policies, state industries are at risk, as we explain in our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts' Labor Force.” buff.ly/Z0WGwc2

In the news: Our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts' Labor Force,” buff.ly/Z0WGwc2 was featured in news reports from The Boston Business Journal, The Boston Globe, and WGBH. buff.ly/FOQevIK

Please join us on Zoom, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., for the author briefing of “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform.” buff.ly/Mj22QPI

While Massachusetts has been ramping up its production of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), one state that has pulled far ahead in this work is California, as we explain in our report, “ADUs Turn One: Regulatory Barriers to production in Massachusetts and Ideas for Further Reform,” buff.ly/dpGCc95

Accessory dwelling units are legal in Massachusetts, and they could become a source of new housing units, but they face limits, as we explain in our report, “ADUs Turn One: Regulatory Barriers to Production in Massachusetts and Ideas for Further Reform.” buff.ly/5j3FUpP

International students contribute a great deal to this state’s economy, as we explain in our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts’ Labor Force.” buff.ly/EcE8WaA

Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities provide homes for high shares of immigrants, and these cities could have an important impact on the future workforce, as we explain in our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts’ Labor Force.” buff.ly/EcE8WaA

The Trump administration’s immigration policies threaten important state industries, including higher education, healthcare, and construction, as we explain in our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts’ Labor Force.” buff.ly/2HWc8Ag

In our report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts’ Labor Force,” buff.ly/2HWc8Ag we look at the impact of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

International students make a substantial contribution to the state economy, as we explain our new report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts' Labor Force.” buff.ly/2HWc8Ag

"We are also very engaged in helping to find and support and fund paths to citizenship as soon as we can for our TPS workers... We want to stand up because it's essential to our economy, it's essential to the work that we do, and to our workforce. It matters when we stand up." —Tara Gregorio

"I'm drawn to this issue in part because, for my wife and I, my wife Trish and I, our path to build a family was through the path of adoption, and so we are the parents of five children who were born outside of the United States of America, they're now naturalized citizens." — Thomas O’Brien

"What the country is missing at this time is the debate about the future of the immigration workforce, and how does immigration policy play a major role in our economic security and workforce security." — Eva Millona

"Gateway Cities increasingly serve as population hubs for immigrants, who are the foundation of the state’s future labor force," as we explain in our new report, “An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts' Labor Force.” buff.ly/2HWc8Ag