REALTORS® recognize the need to sustain and enhance the quality of life enjoyed by
Massachusetts’ citizens. REALTORS® believe we can build better communities by supporting quality growth that seeks sustainable economies and housing opportunities that embrace the environmental qualities we cherish, while protecting individual property rights.
To do this REALTORS® have established the "Quality of Life" campaign to research information, survey public attitudes, establish policies, develop an effective message, and create a blueprint for public outreach to encourage adoption of policies consistent with our "Quality of Life" Principles.
Please take a moment to visit the National Association of REALTORS Smart Growth webpage:
Knowing the Law
Massachusetts REALTOR® Quality of Life Toolkit
Quality of Life Events
Quality of Life Resources and Research
Quality of Life Planning Guide Books
Knowing the Law
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors supports a Smart Growth agenda in all cities and towns. Currently there is growing support for Smart Growth reforms in the legislature and in local communities. Since 2004, two new laws, known as Chapter 40R and Chapter 40S, have been enacted, both of which provide financial incentives to communities that create special zoning districts where higher density, mixed-use housing can be developed. In addition, MAR has proposed three new smart growth initiatives dealing with the clarification of permit caps, creating uniform standards for wetlands, and promoting density bonuses on the local level, each of which are aimed at increasing housing production through less restrictive land use and zoning controls. Smart growth offers an unprecedented opportunity to make significant achievements in advancing sensible development that will support the development and construction of affordable workforce housing. Below are links to various sections of the Massachusetts General Laws:
Quality of Life Events
Listen to the audio here:
(These files are large and may take time to load on slower connections)
You may also view the
video of Barry Bluestone at the Federal Reserve Summit.
This video is available in Windows Media Format only.
On June 15th, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® hosted a half-day forum to consider recent research examining housing supply and affordability issues in Massachusetts and their impact on the state's economy and local population. At the forum, government officials, housing advocates, urban policy experts, and the leaders of several of the state’s largest professional and trade organizations were on hand to discuss the challenges confronting residential development in the Bay State and the impact an inadequate housing supply can have on future economic growth, including job creation, migration of the local populace, and home ownership. Specifically, attendees will focus on the appropriate public policy responses to findings from two recent studies – one by Barry Bluestone of the Center for Urban & Regional Policy at Northeastern University and the other by Edward Glaeser of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston at Harvard University – which suggest that an increase in the state’s housing supply, especially for starter homes, is essential to keeping the region affordable for young workers and families.
Click here for a written summary of the Summit.
These videos are available in Windows Media Format only.
David Wluka:President, Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®
Barry Bluestone: Director, Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Northeasern University
A. Bryant Applegate: Senior Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Joe Molinaro and Amy Eichhorst: Manager of Smart Growth Programs and Manager of Housing Opportunity Programs (respectively), National Association of REALTORS®
Housing Panel #1 - Solutions and Best Practices in Response to Local Challenges & NIMBY
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Moderator: Jim Stergios, Pioneer Institute |
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Andrew Gottlieb |
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Chief, Office for Commonwealth Development |
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Ted Tye |
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Managing Partner, National Development |
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Jack Clarke |
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Director of Legislative Affairs, MA Audobon Society |
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Steven Sadwick, AICP |
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Vice President, MA Chapter of the American Planning Association |
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Aaron Gornstein |
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Executive Director, Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association |
| Geoffrey Beckwith |
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Executive Director, Massachusetts Municipal Association |
Town Meeting #2 - Solutions and Best Practices in Response to State Challenges & Economy
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Moderator: Ian Bowles, Mass Inc. |
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Jim Gomes |
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President, Environmental League of Massachusetts |
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Taylor Caswell |
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Regional Director, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, New England |
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Finley Perry |
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President, The Home Builders Association of Massachusetts |
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Eleanor White |
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Commonwealth Housing Task Force |
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David Begelfer |
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National Association of Industrial and Office Properties of Massachusetts |
| Robert R Ruddock, Esq. |
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General Counsel, Associated Industries of Massachusetts |
Quality of Life Resources and Research
Quality of Life Planning Guide Books
Below are links to several useful books for anyone interested in an in-depth examination of land use and zoning law.
- Zoning Appeals By: Michael S. Giaimo, Esq. and Charles N. Le Ray, Esq.
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Other Planing Resources