Ballot Question Would Modestly Increase Home Construction

By curbing local zoning restrictions, the Starter Home initiative would add roughly 750 new homes per year

FOR RELEASE: June 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET

CONTACT: Robin Smyton, Assistant Director, Media Relations

robin.smyton@tufts.edu | 617-627-5392

A technical brief released today by the Center for State Policy Analysis (cSPA) at Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life examines the "Starter Home" ballot question that will be before Massachusetts voters this fall. If passed, the measure would automatically allow new single-family homes to be built wherever there is adequate space, direct road access, and existing water and sewer service.

"Strict municipal zoning rules are a major impediment to development," said Evan Horowitz, executive director of cSPA. "Replacing these local rules with looser statewide standards can help boost home construction throughout Massachusetts."

This technical brief uses detailed information about land use and municipal zoning codes to estimate the likely impact of the Starter Home initiative. cSPA found that:

• It would generate roughly 750 new homes per year, though the range of plausible outcomes extends from 350 to 1,200 per year.


• This amounts to a roughly 15 percent increase in single-family home construction or a roughly 5 percent increase in overall housing development.


• Boston-area suburbs would see the biggest increase in home building under this ballot question, as they have robust sewer infrastructure and subdividable lots.

READ STARTER HOME QUESTION WOULD MODESTLY BOOST HOME CONSTRUCTION

In recent months, cSPA has produced a number of other technical analyses of likely ballot questions. They include:

• The $5.1 Billion Question for Voters, analyzing a proposed income tax cut;


• A Hair Trigger for Automatic Tax Refunds, highlighting technical problems with a tightened tax refund system;


• Measuring the Earmark for Conservation and Recreation, showing that a proposed nature fund would create a $65 million earmark.

In early September, cSPA will release full voters guides for all certified ballot questions.

cSPA provides expert, nonpartisan analysis of legislative proposals and ballot questions in Massachusetts. It is based at Tufts University and supported by Tisch College along with a diverse group of funding sources from across the political spectrum.