What is 40Y?

40Y is the Starter Home Zoning Districts Act which was enacted in 2022 via the Economic Growth and Relief for the Commonwealth (Acts of 2022, Chapter 268), and it encourages the creation of  starter home districts with a gola to help reduce barriers to create smaller and more affordable starter homes. According to mass.gov, “A “starter home” is a smaller single-family home suitable for first-time home buyers, downsizing, smaller households, and people needing a more affordable single-family housing option.” It is part of a bigger strategy to encourage diverse housing choices while creating abundant housing in the state. Per the law, According to mass.gov,

“These homes are designed for someone buying their first home, downsizing, or for smaller households. The law sets certain key rules for these homes:

At least 50% of the homes in a Starter Home Zoning District must have three or more bedrooms,
At least 10% of the homes must be made affordable for households making up to 110% of the area median income.
The zoning must allow Starter homes to be built as-of-right, rather than through special permits.
Starter homes can be up to 1,850 square feet in heated living space.
Starter Home Zoning Districts must allow at least 4 starter homes per acre.”

To read more, read: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/starter-homes-program-chapter-40y

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