Massachusetts sues 9 towns for blocking multifamily housing
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The state has had enough of towns flouting the law meant to increase housing production and is suing nine of them.
Why it matters: Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is signaling that local opposition will no longer be tolerated as housing costs soar.
- The legal action is a major escalation in the conflict with municipalities that still resist "as-of-right" multifamily zoning under the MBTA Communities Act.
State of play: Campbell filed a lawsuit Thursday against nine towns for failing to comply with the 2021 mandate designed to ease the state's housing crisis.
- Dracut, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Holden, Marblehead, Middleton, Tewksbury, Wilmington and Winthrop missed a July 14, 2025, deadline to adopt zoning plans compliant with the law.
How it works: Cities and towns served by the MBTA need to have at least one district where multifamily housing is allowed without special permitting.
- The state's Supreme Judicial Court last year upheld the law and the AG's enforcement authority
What they're saying: "While bringing a lawsuit is never my first choice... the urgency of our housing shortage compels me to act," Campbell said in a statement.
The other side: Holden Town Manager Peter Lukes told Axios the town plans to take up another vote on zoning Feb. 23 and that Campbell's suit "is therefore of little concern to Holden with regard to this issue."
- "... we find solace in assuming that there must be a massive lack of crime or more serious legal matters for the Attorney General's office to be pursuing," Lukes said.
- Axios has contacted the other towns for comment.
What's next: The AG wants a court order to force the towns to rezone according to the law.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and may be updated.