Press Release: 6/23/2026

Ballot Question 101: Learn about the Legalize Starter Homes Campaign Next Monday

With the income tax cut question now thankfully off the ballot, we could still see 10 ballot questions this November. So we're starting early. 

Join us on Monday, June 29, at 7 pm for a webinar with Jesse Kanson-Benanav of Abundant Housing Massachusetts, who will talk about the Legalize Starter Homes ballot question. 

This question would allow single-family homes to be built in any residentially-zoned area as long as the lot has at least 5,000 square feet, at least 50 feet of land bordering the street, and access to public sewer and water services.

Why should I care about lot size requirements? That's a great question. It sounds really wonky. 

Most of the minimum lot size requirements that exist in Massachusetts date back to the 1950s, 60s, and 70s when suburbs started putting up roadblocks to growth (with clear underlying goals of racial and economic exclusion). In Greater Boston, 95 municipalities zone at least half their land for homes on 1-acre lots (40,000 sq. ft.) or larger, 27 communities zone 90+% of their land that way, and 14 reserve 90+% of their land for 2-acre lots or more.

That has a major impact on what can possibly be built and, consequently, on who can possibly afford to live in a community. 

So join us on Monday to learn more about. 

In solidarity,

Jonathan Cohn 

Policy Director

Progressive Massachusetts