Greater Boston, including Needham, is facing an attainable housing emergency. Housing options for all but wealthier people are dwindling—or gone. Young people and many seniors are increasingly saying they cannot afford to live in Needham, or other surrounding towns, and they are moving away.
We want to change that.
Town Meeting voted to adopt the Neighborhood Housing Plan!
The Neighborhood Housing Plan (NHP) would open the door for much needed multifamily housing zoning that would allow the possibility of more apartments and condominiums to meet the needs of seniors, local employees, young couples, our children who grew up in Needham and want to move back, adult children with special needs, families, and others who want to remain in or move to Needham.
Now, sadly, some of our Needham residents want to repeal that vote and have submitted a petition for a town wide referendum vote to repeal.
A referendum would cost the town tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of Needham town staff, committee, and volunteer time diverted from other important matters to address an issue that has already been studied, analyzed, open to numerous public hearings, and voted on by our Town Meeting Members, who are elected by their constituents specifically to represent them. If the referendum nullifies the Town Meeting vote, we will be out of compliance, and we are concerned that noncompliance would jeopardize state and discretionary federal funds such as millions of dollars for Needham Housing Authority projects, and TIP, and other state funds for infrastructure that are in the pipeline or needed for future projects.
Please review the resources on this page and click on The Facts to learn why we—as well as our Needham boards, departments, and committees, and the local business community—think the vote should stand, and Needham should move forward as voted and begin to address a decades-old housing shortage in Needham.
Calling all volunteers!
Please join us in upholding the Town Meeting vote. We have heard first-hand and seen on Facebook misinformation about, and misunderstanding of, the implications of the Neighborhood Housing Plan, and about the ramifications of a referendum. We need volunteers to help present the facts and assist Needham residents in finding accurate information about this complex zoning bylaw. To find out how you can help, click here for our latest informational newsletter or email us. It takes a village to sustain a village!
Why Housing?
Housing prices are out of reach
Needham has few reasonable options for seniors who want to downsize, adult children who want to settle here, young families, teachers, firefighters, and other local employees who want to live closer to their jobs, and others.
Supply has not kept up with demand
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts needs 200,000 new housing units by 2030 and 400,000 units by 2050. Needham has added only 540 units of multifamily housing over the past 10 years.
Our commercial districts need foot traffic
Needham would significantly benefit from more convenient, walkable, housing density supporting more vibrant business districts in the center and the heights, attracting visitors from neighboring towns and adding revenue to the town budget.
We all benefit from economic and cultural diversity
Any community benefits from the contributions of people from different backgrounds, different cultures, different experiences, and a variety of professions. Our children are more well-rounded and are better prepared to enter our increasingly diverse society when they enter the workforce when they have the opportunity to meet a variety of fellow students.
Join the conversation.
Subscribe to our NHC newsletter for announcements and information regarding housing-related issues.
Join our Facebook group for relevant articles and meaningful discussion about housing needs and housing solutions in Needham.
Attend our monthly open meetings and events!
Join one of our Working Groups.
Invite us to a Housing Conversation with your group or community — formal or informal.
Email us at needhamhousingcoalition@gmail.com.
Request a yard sign.
What’s happening?
Next NHC Monthly Meeting
Current NHC Newsletter and Events
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
For news about what is going on in Needham, subscribe to our three local online news outlets:
We have copied and repurposed text and other content from other housing advocacy groups with their permission. We especially want to thank Equitable Arlington for allowing us to repurpose much of their content and design.
