The Boston Foundation

In our new report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” https://buff.ly/2EwDHgg produced with Sam Naylor of Nominal, we look at how changes in local building codes could lead to the construction of more affordable, family-friendly housing, including triple-deckers, fourplexes, six-packs, and other smaller configurations. One challenge, as the report explains, is that housing development is being blocked by existing laws, building codes, and regulations. Small multifamily housing (SMH) in particular has been largely regulated “out of existence.” For example, once a project shifts from having two units to three units, “the building is subject to far more restrictive and costly regulatory requirements.” This can include such upgrades as “full building automatic sprinkler systems, additional fire-alarm systems, elevated fire resistance ratings for walls and floors, requirements for elevators and accessibility, increased energy and engineering requirements, larger minimum spatial standards, professional design and engineering requirements, and more.” These requirements often stem from a desire to prevent disasters, but they also often fail to take safety advances into account. There are safe, practical solutions that would help produce more, so-called missing middle housing. Policymakers could, among other strategies, revise safety and energy requirements. Policy could also be changed to allow for the construction of accessory dwelling units and single-stair construction of smaller builders that fit more flexibly on to smaller lots. To learn more, check out the report.

In moments of crisis, community is our greatest strength. The Latino Equity Fund at TBF is coordinating a statewide effort to support organizations that are working to help thousands of people in Venezuela in the aftermath of the earthquakes that devastated the country. The new fund, Massachusetts United for Venezuela, is raising funds to support immediate relief efforts on the ground in Venezuela, with a longer-term focus on supporting organizations that can help rebuild and support the affected region in the months and years ahead. Fund supporters gathered in the days after the disasters at Carolicious to raise funds and awareness of the needs in Venezuela, with additional community gatherings and fundraisers in the weeks since. For many families in Massachusetts, this is not a distant tragedy. Venezuelans are part of the fabric of our region, and this is a moment for our philanthropic, corporate, and community leaders to respond with urgency, compassion, and solidarity. Learn more about the Fund: https://lnkd.in/ebTzfh9F

A new funding opportunity for nonprofits with programs that are making measurable impact on community health factors has launched in Boston: the GSK IMPACT Awards. GSK is partnering with TBF and The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) to administer the 30th edition of the GSK IMPACT Awards for excellence in community health, bringing the program to the Boston area for the first time. This opportunity will recognize up to 10 local nonprofits for their exceptional achievements, overall excellence, and best practices in contributing to a healthier Boston region, awarding programs $50,000 in unrestricted funding. To apply, organizations must register at the link below by July 24. Eligible organizations will then be invited to complete their application. Find full details including eligibility requirements, application instructions, and award information: https://lnkd.in/g4b8Zeip

At a time when we need to be building new homes to address the housing crisis in MA – the state has endeavored to add 220,000 homes by 2035 – developers and contractors seeking work are actually turning down offers due to a lack of available workers. A quarter of construction workers are immigrants, and immigration policies are putting the industry at risk of a labor shortage. As the region sees fewer immigrants arriving while fear spreads among immigrants already living and working in our communities, yesterday's Boston Globe article highlights how these challenges are showing up at job sites. These stories mirror last month's report from Boston Indicators and MassINC, which warned that slowing immigration would shrink the state's labor force and hit industries like construction especially hard. What the report projected is now beginning to play out: if MA can't meet our workforce needs through immigration, fewer workers will mean fewer homes built, longer project timelines, and a slower path toward addressing the state's housing shortage. The data and the stakes are clear. Massachusetts' construction industry depends heavily on immigrant workers, both documented and undocumented. As the Trump administration's immigration crackdown combines with the uncertainty and fear these policies create, the workforce that powers housing development is increasingly at risk. The consequences extend far beyond the construction sector: delayed projects mean fewer homes reaching the market, reduced housing supply, and continued pressure on affordability across the state at a time when the need for new housing has never been greater. Read the Boston Globe article: https://lnkd.in/e7MqUUdN

Update: The Latino Equity Fund's Poderosas Fellowship is accepting applications until July 17th. An annual investment to empower Latinas in advancement, development, and philanthropy roles, the Poderosas Fellowship equips emerging leaders with the skills, resources, and networks needed to thrive – because when diverse voices lead, impact follows. Now in its second year, Poderosas will join a powerful community of change agents committed to reshaping the future of philanthropy, gaining exclusive access to mentorship, leadership training, a professional development stipend, and strategic connections that open doors to new possibilities. Learn more and apply by the extended deadline of July 17: https://lnkd.in/e2ZUcGvr

Next week we will release a new report, “Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing through Building Code Reform,” https://buff.ly/mux9T5Q, which we produced with Sam Naylor of the architecture and design firm Nominal. In the meantime, you can learn more about building code reform options by checking out our 2024 report, “Legalizing Mid-Rise Single-Stair Housing in Massachusetts,” https://buff.ly/AnOf7oI which Naylor co-authored as an associate at Utile, the architecture and planning firm. This report explores whether building codes could be changed to allow modest sized buildings to have just one staircase instead of two. Single-stair housing allows for more flexible building designs that could fit more easily on Boston’s small parcels of land. As policy leaders in Greater Boston and Massachusetts address the statewide housing shortage, one key step will be to consider how reforming the building code could help boost the housing supply.

We applaud all the runners and supporters who marked Venezuela's Independence Day on Sunday by participating in 50K Venezuela, a 50K run from Beverly to Fenway Park in Boston, to raise money for all those affected by the country's devastating earthquakes, demonstrating the power and strength of the Venezuelan community in MA. We're extremely grateful that proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Massachusetts United for Venezuela Fund at TBF, which we launched last week in partnership with The Latino Equity Fund, local Venezuelan organizations and Venezuelan owned businesses. Donations raised for the Fund will go towards immediate relief efforts on the ground in Venezuela, with a longer-term focus on supporting organizations that can help rebuild and support the affected region. Read the Boston Globe's story: https://bit.ly/4wshWWu About Massachusetts United for Venezuela: https://bit.ly/4wuTG67

As we head into the July 4th weekend, now is a great time to reflect on the everyday revolution that has shaped Boston’s past, present, and future. Showcasing more than 100 historic sites around Boston that have shaped our city's revolutionary roots and 250-year history as a beacon of freedom and bold ideas, Tour 250 is a new virtual interactive map and guide to these sites and stories. Tour 250 gives us a glimpse into the historic locations across Boston’s neighborhoods that spotlight the everyday people, immigrant communities, youth, and other underrepresented groups whose contributions in education, public health, culture, and civic life have shaped the city over the past centuries. Leading up to July 4, new historic markers have been installed at 25 of these spots. Boston 250 celebrates 250 years of everyday revolution. Use Tour 250 as your interactive guide to those stories. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4gVesax Read more in the Globe: https://bit.ly/4eUwSFR

This first heatwave of the summer has brought oppressive temperatures and a reminder of the importance of making our communities safer and more resilient in the face of extreme weather. To build climate resiliency in vulnerable communities, we're partnering with teams to research temperature discrepancies in heat island communities and using the data we collect to inform how policies and resources are deployed to support the communities most at risk for heat-related illness. Just a few weeks ago a member of the BCOOL research team, Jonathan Lee, installed sensors as we prepare for this summer’s temperature monitoring project. This local temperature monitoring can help direct climate resources, inform policies, and support community infrastructure. All of these actions can make communities safer and more resilient in the face of extreme weather, which is especially critical for the communities that are on the frontline of climate change impacts. These "heat island" neighborhoods are experiencing temperatures that can be 10-15 degrees higher than areas with more green spaces, and our neighbors living or working in these communities are at an even higher risk of heat related illness. Thank you to TBF's many partners who are providing expertise and guidance for this summer’s latest study, as well as sharing valuable reports and resources for how to stay safe in the heat: BU, A Better City, City of Boston Environment, Museum of Science, Commonwealth of MA. Read more about the BCOOL project's heat measurement work: https://bit.ly/4aSCPTl Photos by Olivia Moon Photography.