Boston needs more housing stock, and it needs it now.
That’s the gist of Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn‘s call for Mayor Michelle Wu to roll back the city’s inclusionary zoning requirements for new development. The threshold used to be 13% earmarked for affordable housing, which changed to 20% in 2024. Flynn says those requirements are causing housing production to hit the breaks, making affordability worse in the city.
He’s right.
Last year’s “A Home for Everyone” plan from the Healey administration called for adding at least 222,000 new, primarily year-round, housing units in Massachusetts between 2025 and 2035.
According to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ Housing Needs Assessment, Metro Boston needs a 7.5% to 10% increase in housing stock to keep up with demand. That’s roughly 140,000 to 180,000 new units by 2035.
We need to get shovels in the ground ASAP.
“Following several years of post-pandemic inflation, a high interest rate environment, rising construction costs and tariffs, I believe it is long past time for elected officials and leaders in our city and state to acknowledge the reality that while we do not control many of the big picture economic conditions, we should do everything we can within our power to make any adjustments that will help spur development of housing and affordable units in our city,” Flynn wrote in a letter to Mayor Michelle Wu and Chief of Planning Kairos Shen.
Wu understands big picture economic conditions. In an interview with WBUR she noted that the cost increase for White Stadium was due in part to tariffs, steel prices and general inflation. Those same factors could be expected to affect housing production as well. We need, therefore, to up the incentive to build in Boston.
The housing crisis is hardly new. Back in 2018, then-Mayor Marty Walsh joined 14 members of the Metro Mayors Coalition in announcing a housing production goal.
“We are at a pivotal time in Greater Boston as our economy continues to grow and thrive, and more people move to our communities. As the region grows, we must ensure our cities and towns keep up with the demand for affordable housing, ensuring families can stay in the communities they love,” said Walsh. “Last month I increased Boston’s housing goal from 53,000 to 69,000 new units of housing by 2030.”
And now we need140,000 to 180,000 new units by 2035.
Wu is taking steps to boost housing production, such as last year’s $110 million housing accelerator fund meant to support housing projects already greenlighted but lacking the financing to begin construction.
But the need for new housing is huge, and immediate.
“If we’re producing less housing we’re also getting less affordable units for working families. Some housing is better than no housing,” said Flynn.
It can only help the housing crisis if we increase the stock. If we build it, residents will come, grow communities and increase the tax base.
City Hall has got to love that.
For the next few weeks, you might notice an additional service charge at some restaurants in Massachusetts in anticipation of international visitors who may not be accustomed to U.S. expectations around tipping.
At Union Straw in Foxboro, Massachusetts, customers will see a 20% service charge during the World Cup.
“Time is going to be very, very far, few and beyond for people when they’re trying to get to the stadium, with traffic and all that stuff. So we are going to implement a 20% service charge on all checks and hope to streamline those operations and save people 10 to 15 minutes,” said Craig Carreira, director of operations for Union Straw.
Right outside of Gillette stadium, at Patriot Place, Bar Louie and Davio’s are also planning to add a service charge during the World Cup.
The World Cup is underway, and the Haitian team made its way to Boston Thursday.
“That’s primarily how we do get paid, is through our tips,” said Christine Peterson, a bartender at Davio’s.
In Massachusetts, tipped workers earn $6.75 an hour. If they don’t earn enough in tips to reach $15 an hour, employers must make up the difference.
A 2024 ballot measure that aimed to raise the minimum wage gradually for tipped workers failed, in part, because many servers argued it would lower their overall compensation. So while tipping is largely expected in the U.S., it continues to be a topic of great debate.
“I don’t really like it. I like to tip somebody for their service, but there’s no incentive for the server to do well,” said Joan, a Rhode Island resident.
New signs and new grass are up at Gillette Stadium as the home of the Patriots hosts World Cup matches.
“All these restaurants are getting all this money with all these people coming here, and plus, they’re going to add another 20%,” said Susan, who was at Patriot Place Thursday. “That’s not right, not in my book.”
“I think it’s a good thing. They’re serving us, they should be able to get paid for their service. So I don’t mind,” said Mishi, a woman visiting from Haiti.
Under Massachusetts’ Consumer Protection Act, any mandatory charges or fees must be made known to the customer wherever prices are displayed on menus and bills.
Gillette Stadium, temporarily branded as Boston Stadium, is hosting seven 2026 FIFA World Cup matches from June 13 through July 9.
Watch CBS News
BOSTON (WHDH) – A minivan was involved in a rollover wreck on Church Street in Dorchester Thursday morning.
The vehicle ended up on its side against another car.
Several other vehicles on the street also appeared to be damaged from the crash.
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Commentary: Cameron Brink is trying to navigate a fouled-up situation
Nigeria killed more than 13,000 ‘terrorists’ in past year, president says
Which billionaire said they learned a ‘significant lesson’ this week? The quiz knows
Fire breaks out under roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Mayor Sheffield absent from People Mover board during alleged wrongdoing
Day Around the Bay: All BART Stations In San Francisco Now Have Free Wi-Fi
Reunion Tower debuts World Cup light show as Dallas welcomes fans
New England restaurants adding gratuity to bills during World Cup
