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An Overview
Across our state, young adults, college students, and Massachusetts residents statewide face increasingly unaffordable rents, limited student housing, and barriers to stable living conditions. Many young people are rent‑burdened, forced to move frequently, or pushed into long commutes that disrupt work and education. This burden also causes a lot of Massachusetts students to be unable to stay or move back after graduating and also causes many existing MA residents to leave. This expands the crisis from not only being a life altering barrier, but an economic issue for the state of Massachusetts.
The Numbers
Massachusetts is facing a severe housing shortage. The state needs 222,000 new units by 2035 to meet projected demand. Currently, 441,000 families qualify for low-income housing but cannot find units because the supply is so limited. Rent is very expensive, with the average one-bedroom costing $2,399 statewide and $3,414 in Boston. For those looking to buy, the median home sale price in Massachusetts is approximately $640,000, and it has surpassed $1 million in the Greater Boston area
High costs are pushing people out of the state for more affordable areas. This is a major problem for our long-term economy, our workforce, and our tax base. We must make it easier to build more housing to create a better supply for everyone. This includes young people who need affordable rents to save for a home and older people who want to downsize. If we want the young people who grew up in our state to be able to stay here and put down roots, we must address this artificial scarcity by increasing production.
When housing is cheaper, people have more money to spend at local businesses or to start their own. Right now, high insurance premiums and student loans cause significant financial stress. If we make it affordable to live here, people will have a better quality of life and more money in their pockets.
Why It Hits Young Adults Harder
Young adults earn less, move more frequently, and often face discrimination for limited rental history. With rising tuition, stagnant wages, and high living costs, housing instability affects educational outcomes, mental health, and long-term financial security.
Factors Driving The Crisis
A severe shortage of affordable housing
Restrictive zoning that limits new development
Insufficient student housing near campuses
High rental competition in urban areas
Unequal municipal authority and inconsistent planning tools
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