(Photo courtesy of The Boston Globe) “Central Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.”
Conor Moyer
Connector Editor
From the Berkshires to Boston, soaring home prices, stagnant housing supplies, and competitive rental markets have contributed to a housing affordability crisis in Massachusetts. Yet one city is attempting to strike back. In a significant policy shift, Cambridge has recently eliminated single‑family zoning citywide, with the Cambridge City Council approving the zoning overhaul in an 8‑1 vote last Monday. Under the new rules, buildings up to four stories can be constructed without special approval, and on lots over 5,000 square feet, developers may build up to six stories if at least 20% of the units are designated as affordable housing. City officials project that these changes will yield roughly 3,590 new homes, including 660 affordable units, by 2040.
Cambridge councilor Sumbul Siddiqui described the reform as essential for expanding housing opportunities. “By updating our zoning laws, we are taking a crucial step toward increasing housing availability and ensuring that Cambridge remains accessible to residents of all income levels,” she said. Residents like 27‑year‑old Emma Bouton expressed optimism about the potential impact on rental prices, commenting, “What would it mean for more families to be able to live in Cambridge and have more supply bring the cost down for all the renters here?”
The reform in Cambridge comes amid a broader national debate on housing supply and regulatory constraints. While supporters view the measure as a progressive step toward reducing costs through increased supply, critics argue that it may lead to more luxury developments rather than substantially expanding affordable housing options.
In contrast to Cambridge’s aggressive reform, Lowell continues to enforce largely restrictive zoning, with significant portions of the city designated exclusively for single‑family homes. This policy has limited developers’ ability to build higher‑density housing and potentially lower costs. The impact of these restrictions has become increasingly apparent. Between 2018 and 2022, Lowell added just 638 new housing units—a mere 1.45% increase from existing levels. According to Redfin.com, the median home price in Lowell reached $513,000 as of January 2025, marking an 11.4% increase from the previous year. These trends have contributed to rising rental costs and a growing unhoused population, placing additional pressure on community services and social programs.
Cambridge mayor Denise Simmons spoke positively of the change, “For too long, exclusionary zoning has put up barriers, barriers that have kept people out, that have restricted growth, that have made it harder for families to put down roots.” The potential for similar zoning reforms in Lowell remains under discussion. With housing demand continuing to outstrip supply, Lowell policymakers face mounting pressure to address affordability.
Recently, Uass Lowell alum and 18th Middlesex State Representative Tara Hong introduced two bills in the state legislature aimed at addressing the region’s escalating housing crisis. The first bill, HD.391, seeks to establish a Rent Stabilization Commission to study the effects of rent control—a policy that, despite offering short-term relief to renters, has long been shown to disincentivize new construction and contribute to a housing deadlock. The second bill, HD.3756, “Yes in God’s Backyard,” pushes forward in much of the way of the recent Cambridge policy, proposing reforms to relax restrictive zoning laws.
For UMass Lowell students, faculty, and residents, these legislative debates are far from theoretical. With ballooning prices and a swelling unhoused population, Lowell residents are affected firsthand by the housing shortage. The coming months will be critical as cities and policymakers react to this charged development in Cambridge and see how the policy plays out.
