Articles & Op-Eds by Executive Director, Susan Gittelman

Susan became the Founding Executive Director of B’nai B’rith Housing in 2003. She has over twenty-five years of progressively responsible experience in real estate development, neighborhood revitalization, and nonprofit management. Susan is a legacy member of CREW Boston and sits on the Housing & Economic Development Council of the Urban Land Institute Boston/New England. She has been recognized for her leadership and public service by CREW Boston, Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Leadership Institute, and Banker & Tradesman’s Women of FIRE. She has served as an Opinion Editor Columnist for Banker & Tradesman since 2012. Susan holds a Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University and a B.A. degree from Hamilton College.

Elevator Code Reform Can Help Us Produce More Missing Middle Housing

July 1, 2026 by BBH

As Susan points out, elevator reform is one of the many fixes that together can make homes more abundant, accessible and affordable. Read more here!

Congress Shouldn’t Squander the Opportunity to Make Two Key Housing Fixes

April 30, 2026 by BBH

In her recent op-ed, Susan points out that federal housing legislation that lifts the PWI cap and mitigates BABA requirements – two key obstacles to housing production – is within reach. Read more here.

Parking Mandates Drive up Building Costs – Let’s Learn from Others and Eliminate Them

February 25, 2026 by BBH

Image Credit: Parking Reform Now If you say “eliminate parking mandates,” people often hear “eliminate parking.” In her recent Op-Ed Susan describes why that isn’t true and why the difference…

Single-Stair Can Unlock New Housing -Innovation Could Start Local

December 23, 2025 by BBH

As highlighted here, the building code reform that would have the biggest impact in terms unlocking missing middle housing is single stair development.

A ‘Win-Win-Win’ is Possible in Wellesley and Beyond

October 30, 2025 by BBH

As Susan notes, a plan to turn underused land at MassBay Community College in Wellesley into housing would be a win for all the parties involved. Read more here.

Minimum Lot-Size Reform Is a Modest Idea with Big Potential

October 19, 2025 by BBH

As Susan notes, efforts to stimulate housing development have mostly focused on multifamily developments that house more people, but as long as a critical mass still want to live in…

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