Housing Law Clashes with Local Control in Boston Suburbs

Valdineia Santos, a resident of Winthrop, Massachusetts, has been working at a local cafe for the past seven years. She has grown fond of the seaside town, but the high cost of living has made it difficult for her to find affordable housing. Two-bedroom apartments in Winthrop rent for around $3,000 per month, which is beyond her budget. As a result, she and her young daughter continue to reside in Malden, a city located about 30 minutes away.

In an effort to address the housing shortage in the Boston area, the state of Massachusetts passed a law four years ago that aims to increase the supply of apartments in dozens of towns surrounding the city. The law was intended to put downward pressure on rents and make housing more affordable for people like Ms. Santos. However, the law has faced opposition from several towns, including Winthrop.

Diana Viens, a Winthrop resident who has been leading the movement against the law, argues that it infringes on the rights of citizens and takes away local control over land use. She believes that the state should not have the authority to force towns to allow more multifamily housing. Ms. Viens questions whether the governor has ever visited Winthrop or considered the town's own plans for its downtown area.