TBF Housing Resource Library  Special Reports Chapter 40R School Cost Analysis and Proposed Smart Growth School Cost Insurance Supplement.  Click the cover to download a pdf copy of this report containing recommendations from the Commonwealth Housing Task Force. "Building Our Heritage: A Housing Strategy for Smart Growth and Economic Development," Nov. 2003.  Click the cover to learn more about the report or download a copy. Report Cards The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2002 The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2003 The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2004 The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2005 - 2006 The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2006 - 2007 The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2008 Slide Presentations The 2002 Housing Report Card The 2003 Housing Report Card The 2004 Housing Report Card The 2005 - 2006 Housing Report Card The 2006 - 2007 Housing Report Card The 2008 Housing Report Card

TBF Special Report: Housing in Greater Boston

“The importance of solving Boston’s housing crisis cannot be overstated.  The human capital of this area – a unique and essential asset because of Boston’s high tech businesses and its educational, research, and medical institutions – is being compromised because young scientists, engineers, doctors, and business people find it difficult to afford, even with substantial salaries, the purchase price on homes that meet their family needs.”

Paul S. Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation and a convener of the Commonwealth Housing Task Force.

The Boston Foundation has a long history of developing and supporting innovative housing initiatives in Greater Boston.  From its grants in the early 1960s that helped create the Greater Boston Community Development organization, to the convening of the Commonwealth Housing Task Force (CHTF) in October of 2002, the Boston Foundation has been a leading voice in the housing dialogue.

Solving Boston’s housing crisis requires broad support from sectors that traditionally have been at odds over housing issues.  After the release of the first Greater Boston Housing Report Card, the Boston Foundation called for the creation of the CHTF to develop a consensus housing agenda.  In November 2003, this unprecedented coalition of leaders released its recommendations for constructing nearly 30,000 new housing units over the next decade for households at all income levels.  Many of the CHTF’s recommendations have been incorporated into landmark legislation signed into law in June 2004.

This website offers a wide variety of housing-related resources.  The Resource Library has links to copies of the CHTF report and the Housing Report Cards, with related articles and slide presentations from the forums at which the Housing Report Cards were released.  Links to other sections of this website also are in the Resource Library.  

“There at the Beginning” recounts the Boston Foundation’s history of support for innovative housing initiatives through the stories of cases where the the Boston Foundation's support had an impact. 

The “Press Room” offers resources for journalist, including contact information and press releases.

Click the “Commonwealth Housing Task Force” link to visit the CHTF website that chronicles the evolution of the CHTF and actively monitors the ongoing developments in housing policy.  You'll also find the CHTF quarterly reports, research reports and housing report cards.

The “Program Related Investments” section reviews multimillion-dollar commitments made by the Boston Foundation in support of affordable housing programs.

There is a section containing housing links with brief descriptions of the websites.

And there is a link to the Boston Foundation funding priorities for housing.

You can return to this page by clicking on the Housing banner atop every page in this web special.

Your feedback is welcome.  If you know of additional housing resources or links that should be available from this website, please send your suggestions to info@tbf.org.