Policy Development and Research
The Policy Development and Research Division (PDR) supports the work of the Mayor's Office of Housing through:
- implementing key housing policies regulating the private market;
- providing research and data analysis on policy, demographics, and housing; and
- developing and evaluating housing policies.
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2 Center plaza, 7TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02208 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Policy Implementation
PDR’s Housing Policy staff implement the City’s Inclusionary Zoning, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Zoning, and the Condominium and Cooperative Conversion Ordinance.
Inclusionary Zoning
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Zoning
The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Zoning is an amendment to Article 80 of the Zoning Code that went into effect in March 2021. Residential projects or mixed-use projects with residential components undergoing Large Project Review and/or Planned Development Area Review under Article 80 with the Planning Department are subject to AFFH Zoning. Through this process, proponents are required to consider impacts on project area residents historically discriminated against or at risk of displacement. Through negotiation with the Boston Interagency Fair Housing Development Committee, they then take to reduce those impacts, provide new housing opportunities, and address past histories of exclusion.
Learn more about AFFH Zoning at the link below.
Condominium and Cooperative Conversion Ordinance
The Condominium and Cooperative Conversion Ordinance (CCO) was adopted in 1999 and amended in 2021. The CCO applies to any residential property built before December 1983 that has four or more rental units, where the owner intends to convert the property to a residential condominium or cooperative use through the conversion of the existing units or through the demolition of the current units and replacement of them with a new condominium or cooperative building. It requires that tenants be provided notice of the intent to convert at least 1 year prior to the target vacancy date and entitles tenants to certain rights and benefits, including the opportunity to purchase the unit and relocation benefits for those who do not purchase their unit.
Learn more about the CCO at the link below.
Contact Policy Implementation Staff:
Andy Feldman, Policy Manager
Data Services
PDR’s Data Analytical staff provide a range of data services for MOH and other City departments, perform analysis and research to support PDR’s policy development and evaluation efforts, and produce publicly available reports, databases, and maps on a variety of housing issues, conditions, and trends in Boston.
Contact Data Services Staff:
Amelia Najjar, Data Manager
Boston's first interactive map measuring residential displacement risk.
Data showing the risk scores from the 2025 Displacement Risk Map.
Boston's official report on where students are living in the city.
An analysis of the state of housing in Boston.
The 42nd annual homeless census helps us better quantify homelessness in Boston.
This is an overview of the Mayor's Office of Housing's work in 2021.
Details on income-restricted housing in the City of Boston.
Recent residential sales in the City of Boston.
Recent residential foreclosures in the City of Boston.
Information on distressed buildings in the City.
A list of distressed properties in the city of Boston.
Policy Development and Evaluation
PDR’s Policy Development staff lead new policy development and evaluation of existing policies, coordinating with analytical and policy implementation staff in PDR and other divisions to ensure policy recommendations are data-driven and designed for successful implementation and evaluation. Staff also work to develop and implement key housing strategies and plans, including:
Boston Housing Strategy 2025
Mayor Wu’s Housing Strategy is a blueprint that will shape Boston’s housing story. It reflects the work being done by the Wu Administration, including the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Planning Department, and the Boston Housing Authority, to develop systematic approaches to address our housing challenges so that all residents have access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing.
Learn more about Boston Housing Strategy 2025 at the link below.
Anti-Displacement Action Plan
Led by the Planning Action Council in the Planning Department, Boston's first citywide Anti-Displacement Action Plan outlines over 40 initiatives designed to fill gaps in the City's ongoing efforts to protect residents, small businesses, and cultural institutions from displacement. Over the next two years, the City will implement these initiatives to help stabilize communities and deepen their roots.
Learn more about the Anti-Displacement Action Plan at the link below.
Assessment of Fair Housing
In 2015, HUD, under President Obama, released new regulations, requiring an Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH) plan. In 2017, the City of Boston began to create a plan, but the Trump administration eliminated these regulations in mid-2020. Despite this change in HUD policy, the City moved forward with a plan. The Biden administration is now restoring regulations requiring an AFFH plan. In January 2022, after a multi-year process incorporating significant input from the community and fair housing advocates, Mayor Michelle Wu signed an Executive Order adopting the Assessment of Fair Housing for the City of Boston.
The Assessment of Fair Housing also serves as the City of Boston’s updated Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.
Access the Assessment of Fair Housing and the 2010 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing at the links below.
2022 Assessment of Fair Housing
2010 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
Neighborhood Housing Trust Report
In 1983, the City of Boston instituted development impact fees, known as Linkage Fees, to fund the creation and preservation of income restricted housing throughout Boston. The Neighborhood Housing Trust was formed in 1986 to manage and disburse these funds. This report presents the housing outcomes of the Housing Linkage program, both over the life of the program, and for 2020.
Access the Neighborhood Housing Trust 2020 Report at the link below.
Neighborhood Housing Trust 2020 Report
Contact Policy Development Staff:
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2 Center plaza, 7TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02208 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
