Over the next decade, state housing officials estimate that Massachusetts will need another 222,000 homes. These homes are necessary to attract young professionals, to prevent families with young children from leaving, to empty the homeless shelters, and to let seniors age in their communities.

More housing is also needed to mitigate climbing prices that are hurting not only lower-income residents, but even those who are solidly middle class. The median price of a single-family home in Massachusetts this year, as of November, was an astonishing $640,000, according to The Warren Group.

Zillow ranked Greater Boston as the fifth most expensive rental market in the country, with average rent hovering just under $3,000 a month, according to the Boston Foundation’s 2025 Housing Report Card.

But if Massachusetts is to build the housing our residents need, it will take a conscious effort to simplify the building process.

In editorials this year, the Globe has focused on specific deregulatory steps that would help cut red tape and make it easier for the state to build its way out of the housing shortage.

One aspect of this is being open to changing rules that may have made perfect sense at one point, but haven’t kept up with changing circumstances. For example, advances in fire safety technology made some of the rules regarding stairwell requirements and building height obsolete. Changing these rules to account for modern technology could make it financially feasible to build bigger buildings.

There are also well-intended rules that have had unintended consequences — like disability accessibility codes that apply more stringently in communities with lower property values than in wealthier towns.

But the biggest thing that needs to change is harder to write into law. Communities need to move from a default “no” on housing to a default “yes.”

That problem is especially hard to tackle because, officially, it doesn’t exist. There is no specific regulation saying that certain Massachusetts towns don’t want housing. But actions speak louder, and more honestly, than words.

The presumption that new housing is bad — and the burden is on developers to prove it isn’t — is implicit in many of regulations adopted across the region and in the way developers are frequently treated like unwelcome interlopers. Communities too often use approval processes to impose unreasonable requirements or arduous review processes on builders who want to create the multifamily housing the state needs.

One solution is for the state to set clear ground rules for what authority cities and towns have — and don’t have — when it comes to housing approval.

For example, the state has its own environmental standards for septic systems, but they are a minimum, not a maximum. If policy makers were to forbid towns from imposing stricter standards without proving they are environmentally necessary, it would prevent municipal officials from using overly strict rules to block denser housing. Similarly, the Legislature could impose guardrails on what municipal planning officials can consider as part of the site plan review process and how long reviews can take.

When a planning or zoning board rejects or reduces the size of an apartment project, or imposes unreasonable and costly conditions, that directly undermines the public good. They should be expected to explain why their actions were truly necessary.

After all, no housing decision occurs in a vacuum. Even allowing high-end development serves the public: If people who can afford million-dollar condos have plenty to choose from, they won’t outbid less-wealthy families for more modest housing.

Many individual regulations came from a noble instinct. Shoddy construction is dangerous; communities should make sure it’s safe. Fire safety is important. New buildings can disturb animal habitats and degrade the environment. Ensuring that people with disabilities can access housing units and public spaces is vital. There is value in soliciting public input.

But these regulations have proven too easy to co-opt as tools to stop development, rather than improve it. Often, communities have a fear of change.

Regulations that pose obstacles to housing must be expected to pass a stringent test to prove that they are actually necessary and not just convenient pretexts for NIMBYism. Policy makers must fully consider the trade-offs, because while each new housing regulation may seem minor, they add up.

Massachusetts is a great place to live. We should be seeking ways to let more people live here, not closing the gate behind us.

Editorials represent the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us @GlobeOpinion.

Roundups: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey

Top 20 rankings: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey

League standings: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey

▪ Tewksbury’s Tyler Bourgea made significant history in the second period of an 8-0 win over East Catholic (Conn.) when he potted his second goal of the game and 66th of his career, surpassing Ryan Petty’s program record of 65, which had stood since 2015.

Bourgea, a senior captain, owns a career line of 66-77—143, 4 points shy of Petty’s school record of 147.

“He’s a very humble kid,” Tewksbury coach Derek Doherty said. “He just wants to win. He was happy he broke the record, but he said it’s more important we win hockey games. It’s a sign of a good person and a good player.”

▪ Blue Hills senior Tyler Anderson entered Saturday’s game against Blackstone-Millville needing 9 points to reach 1,000 for his career. It took him just one quarter; he finished with 18 points to secure a 74-57 first-round win in the Spartan Holiday Classic.

▪ At the MSTCA Boston Winter Challenge, junior Amar Skeete broke the Catholic Memorial school record in the long jump, leaping 23 feet, 10.5 inches, besting both the indoor and outdoor marks and surpassing his previous career best by a full foot. He is among the top 10 in the nation for the event.

▪ With a 9-0 victory over Westwood, Canton boys’ hockey coach Brian Shuman won his 350th career game behind the bench. Shuman, a Catholic Memorial graduate who played at Bowdoin, is in his 21st season and has led Canton to four state titles (’10, ‘19, ‘20, ‘23), plus two more final appearances, including a loss to Billerica last March.

Cam Dematos, Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake — The junior peppered the net with three goals and an assist in an 11-1 boys’ hockey victory over Nantucket.

Caleb Haynes, Brookline — The junior went full beast mode, piling up 38 points, 10 assists, and 7 steals in an 87-56 win over Portsmouth (N.H.) in the BABC Holiday Classic.

Kingston Maxwell, Abington — The senior powered a 91-67 boys’ basketball win over Nantucket with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Thomas Fish, Danvers — A hat trick and an assist from the senior powered a 9-0 boys’ hockey win over Triton.

Lucey Jean, Hopkinton — The day’s lone four-goal performance belonged to the senior, who was the engine of a 5-1 girls’ hockey win over Wellesley/Lincoln-Sudbury.

▪ Sophomore Aniyjha Morales sank the winning shot at the buzzer as Assabet Valley topped Tahanto, 54-52, to repeat as Assabet Holiday Classic champions in Marlborough.

▪ Third-ranked Methuen/Tewksbury girls’ hockey trailed, 1-0, in the third period before sisters Sammy and Lauren Ryan each delivered a goal and a 2-1 win over Winchester at O’Brien Arena.

▪ Concord-Carlisle emerged from a shootout with Acton-Boxborough to advance to the final of the Battle Road Classic at Hayden Rink.

▪ Hanover rode three goals from MVP Ryan Kisiel, a junior, to the Michael Giordano Christmas Classic title at Murphy Memorial Rink in South Boston. It’s the second tournament win for Hanover this season, following the Jim Gormley Cup at Gallo Arena on Dec. 13.

▪ Senior Jacoby Patterson collected MVP honors with two goals and an assist as Shawsheen won the Lions Tournament with a 3-2 victory over host Chelmsford.

▪ Brothers Luke and Matt Dickson teamed up to give Medfield a championship at the Cape Ann Savings Bank Tournament with a 2-1 win over Gloucester. Both brothers had a goal and an assist, and Luke was named MVP.

▪ St. John’s Prep won the Pete Frates Winter Classic with a clinching goal from senior Christian Coleman, giving the second-ranked Eagles a 3-2 win over No. 3 Pope Francis at Essex Sports Center.

“We play in honor of Pete and Pete’s family, it’s important for us to give our best effort,” St. John’s Prep coach Kristian Hanson said after his team captured its third title in the event, which dates to 2015.

▪ It took a shootout, but Hudson claimed the Mark Bushnoe Tournament title after tying Lunenburg/Ayer Shirley, 4-4. Junior Timmy O’Malley earned MVP honors with a goal and two assists. at the Wallace Civic Center.

▪ Boston Latin left no doubt in the final of the Michael Giordano Christmas Classic, besting Westford 5-0 after junior Angela Wells got things going with two goals and an assist.

Wellesley has a new boys’ lacrosse coach and he’s no stranger to the Raiders’ sidelines. Dave Wainwright, the school’s girls’ soccer coach, will also take over the boys’ lacrosse program from Jim Connolly, who stepped down after eight seasons.

Wainwright began coaching Wellesley girls’ soccer in 2024, a year after winning a second state title with Natick. He also coached boys’ lacrosse at Needham since 2003, winning a state title in his first season. Wainwright is an elementary teacher in the Needham district.

Wellesley went 11-10 last season, falling in the second round of the Division 1 tournament to eventual champion St. John’s Prep.

Caleb Haynes, Brookline, 38

Rolky Brea-Arias, St. Mary’s, 28

Brody Bumila, Bishop Feehan, 28

Yhan Medina, Quincy, 28

Kingston Maxwell, Abington, 27

Kayla Dunlap, Natick, 25

Jacob Klass, Beverly, 25

Burke Lombardi, Nantucket, 25

Grant Neal, Lynnfield, 25

Charlie Poehler, Burlington, 25

Aboubakar Nimaka, Malden Catholic, 24

Tyler Staiti, Abington, 23

Abby Broderick, Medfield, 22

Matty Gray, Burlington, 21

Gabe Keskinides, Tewksbury, 21

Julian Ortega, Southeastern, 21

Sofia Wightman Kraus, Hopkinton, 21

Cason Faulk, Bridgewater-Raynham, 20

Jiai Gonzalez, Blue Hills, 20

Gwen Jones, Beverly, 20

Rolky Brea-Arias, St. Mary’s, 23

Katie McMahon, Natick, 16

Colin Cyr, Apponequet, 13

Kingston Maxwell, Abington, 11

Aboubakar Nimaka, Malden Catholic, 11

Andrew Braganca, Beverly, 8

Sophie Gallivan, North Reading, 8

Henry Svirutnas, Apponequet, 8

Elyza Wagner, Apponequet, 8

Dom Torres, Beverly, 6

Caleb Haynes, Brookline, 10

Duke Cherry, Malden Catholic, 7

Henry Svirutnas, Apponequet, 6

Dom Torres, Beverly, 6

Abby Broderick, Medfield, 5

Ryan Levesque, Apponequet, 5

Cece Levrault, Apponequet, 5

Kingston Maxwell, Abington, 5

Jillian Gagnier, Apponequet, 4

Colin McKay, Apponequet, 4

Elyza Wagner, Apponequet, 4

Denai Williams, Natick, 4

Naya Annigeri, Medfield, 8

Caleb Haynes, Brookline, 7

Jillian Gagnier, Apponequet, 5

Denai Williams, Natick, 5

Kayla Dunlap, Natick, 4

Dom Torres, Beverly, 4

Lucey Jean, Hopkinton/Dover-Sherborn, 4

Leah Carlson, Medfield, 3

Michael Cortis, Medway, 3

Jason Drake, Medway, 3

Thomas Fish, Danvers, 3

Ryan Kisiel, Hanover, 3

Matthew McGinty, St. John’s (S), 3

Kody Pokraka, Falmouth, 3

Jackson Ballard, BC High, 2

Nick Beltramini, Whitman-Hanson, 2

Tyler Bourgea, Tewksbury, 2

Matthew Breda, Nauset, 2

Mia Cataruzolo, Milton, 2

Garrett Consigli, Medway, 2

Cam Dematos, Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake, 2

Emma Doucette, St. Mary’s, 2

Ryan Elrick, Canton, 2

Hunter Fucci, Waltham, 2

Brooke Hanley, Duxbury, 2

Chase Harmon, Notre Dame (Hingham), 2

Sean Keenan, BC High, 2

Adam Kornbau, Framingham, 2

Brogan Laverdiere, Norton, 2

Bryan Li, Acton-Boxborough, 2

Cam McKenna, Hingham, 2

Brendan McCarthy, Hingham, 2

Addison Nee, Pembroke, 2

Emma Nee, Pembroke, 2

Jacoby Patterson, Shawsheen, 2

Colin Rogers, Latin Academy, 2

Zoe Sullivan, Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake, 2

Gabby Sundstrom, Duxbury, 2

Maeve Turner, Falmouth, 2

Colin Walsh, Framingham, 2

Angela Wells, Boston Latin, 2

Charlotte Woodford, HPNA, 2

Teddy Shuman, Canton, 4

Max Ryan, BC High, 3

Aoife Bourke, Boston Latin, 2

Michael Conners, Walpole, 2

Coleman Donovan, Latin Academy, 2

Emma Doucette, St. Mary’s, 2

James Gordon, Burlington, 2

Mia Kmiec, HPNA, 2

Adam Kornbau, Framingham, 2

Tyler McHugh, Essex Tech, 2

Phoebe Niese, Boston Latin, 2

Timmy O’Malley, Hudson, 2

Joe Pumphret, Winthrop, 2

Caroline Shearer, Falmouth, 2

Jamie Vallarelli, Taunton, 2

Colin Walsh, Framingham, 2

Nick Denino, Lynn, 52

Jakob Johed, Newton South, 33

Nico Santosuosso, Masconomet, 33

Sydney Foster, Central Catholic, 32

Axel Rydberg, Marlborough, 32

Sophia Luoni, Natick, 28

Ryan Christensen, Whitman-Hanson, 26

Garo Gebeyan, Waltham, 25

Tenley Simmons, Bishop Stang, 19

Luke Pellerin, Taunton, 18

Evan Morey, Danvers, 16

Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.

The second of three $1 million top prizes was claimed on a scratch ticket Friday, with the winner getting $50,000 a year for 20 years.

The prize was won on a $1,000,000 BONUS WINS ticket that was sold at Neighborhood Convenience Store in Hyde Park, according to Massachusetts State Lottery.

The $5 ticket, which came out in July, offers 12 chances to match four winning numbers on the front of the ticket, and there are four more bonus plays to scratch on the back of the ticket. There is one more $1 million prize still to be claimed, with 1 in 3,360,000 odds of winning the top prize.

Overall, at least 865 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Friday, Dec. 26, including 20 in Springfield, 23 in Worcester and 57 in Boston.

The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600.

The largest lottery prize won so far this year was worth $1 million a year for life, from a winning “Lifetime Millions” scratch ticket sold in Springfield and claimed in July.