BOSTON (WWLP) - Longmeadow State Senator Eric Lesser is working on a neighborhood stabilization bill to give Massachusetts residents more options for affordable housing. Senator Lesser said he's making urban development a top priority this session.
"A lot of vacant and abandoned homes which have been very hard to help flip or to help change over, and it's really hurting communities and hurting neighborhoods. So, this report is about tools that the state can use to help communities get those homes back into fixed up shape so that families can live in them and the whole neighborhood can prosper," said Lesser.
House Bill 35-07 and Senate Bill 15-78 support research into how communities could benefit from re-development.
Lawmakers are hoping the legislation will change certain zoning laws to make it easier for developers to build more affordable housing. The neighborhood stabilization bill is designed to help gateway cities like Springfield, Lawrence and Brockton.
Western Massachusetts lawmakers are hoping Boston's higher cost of living will provide incentive to move to the western part of the state.
