Tools, data, and organizations supporting affordable housing across the North Shore, Cape Ann, and Massachusetts

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NEW TO HOUSING ADVOCACY? START HERE⭐

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If you’re new to housing policy or advocacy, these organizations offer strong entry points for learning how affordable housing works in Massachusetts:

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Citizens Housing & Planning Association (CHAPA) – A leading statewide organization advancing affordable housing policy, research, budgeting, and advocacy to expand and preserve housing housing.

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Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) – Provides data, technical assistance, financing programs, and policy support to help communities plan for and produce affordable housing.

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Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) – Regional planning agency offering housing data, zoning analysis, and planning tools relevant to Greater Boston and the North Shore.

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ADVOCACY & MOVEMENT BUILDING

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Organizations shaping public understanding, legislation, and grassroots action

Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA) – Grassroots organization advocating for zoning reform and housing abundance statewide. Housing4All Gloucester is a member organization.

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Essex County Community Organization (ECCO) – Faith- and community-based organizing network advancing housing justice and equity on the North Shore. Housing4All Gloucester is a member organization.

 

Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston – Provides fair housing education, enforcement, and legal advocacy.

 

Great Neighborhoods – Policy-focused advocacy organization promoting smart growth and housing production.

 

Housing Forward Massachusetts – Coalition working to end homelessness and expand housing stability.

 

Local Housing Solutions – National resource hub showcasing effective local housing policies and programs.

 

Massachusetts Housing Coalition – Network of advocates supporting affordable housing policy and public education.

 

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) – Legal advocacy organization advancing tenant protections, homelessness prevention, and housing rights.

In addition to the above organizations, the following resources are useful deeper dive for community advocates, municipal leaders, students, journalists, and anyone interested in understanding or engaging in the affordable housing ecosystem, with particular relevance to Gloucester, Cape Ann, and the North Shore.

 

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RESEARCH, DATA & POLICY

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Who produces the research, analysis, and policy frameworks

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Census Bureau’s housing data - a wide range of searchable community demographics and housing data

 

Community Preservation Coalition (CPC) – Statewide coalition advancing the Community Preservation Act and providing guidance to municipalities.

 

DataTown (MHP) – Interactive municipal-level housing and demographic data tool widely used by local boards and advocates.

 

Essex County Community Foundation – Supports housing and community initiatives through philanthropy, convening, and regional collaboration.

 

HUD USER (Policy Development & Research) – Federal housing data and research portal, including AMI, fair housing, and housing market studies. 

 

MA Registry of Lodging & Short Term Rental Operators - This database allows the public to find general information about lodging operators located in Massachusetts.

 

MA Subsidized Housing Inventory – List of stock of low-or moderate-income housing, by community,  for the purposes of M.G.L. Chapter 40B, the Comprehensive Permit Law.

 

MUNICIPAL HOUSING TOOLS

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Gloucester focused housing related resources

 

2023-2035 Comprehensive Plan  - A vision plan that captures the City’s goals for Gloucester's future, from housing and climate to downtown and neighborhoods.

 

Property Assessments Online - Interactive GIS property and assessment database, letting users look up parcel maps, property details, and fiscal year assessments.

 

Housing Compass – An ongoing work in progress, this will be a 5-year plan updating the City previous Housing Production Plan, developed to understand and meet local housing needs, create targeted strategies to improve access to affordable housing, and proactively guide new development in line with community housing needs and goals. 

 

Community Development Plans & Studies - Local plans, studies and policy documents, including comprehensive, climate, open space, housing production, harbor, and other planning resources.

 

Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) - Created to support the creation, preservation, and maintenance of affordable housing in the city.  Access the AHT’s strategic plan, funding guidelines and rolling funding application. 

 

Community Preservation Committee (CPC) - The CPC reviews and recommends local projects that preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and support outdoor recreation using Community Preservation Act funds.

 

Short-Term Rental Ordinance & Guidelines - The city’s code of ordinance (Section 5-63) and requirements for registering and operating a Short-Term Rental (STR). 

 

Zoning Ordinance - City land-use regulations, defining permitted uses, development standards, and zoning districts to guide growth, development, and the character of neighborhoods.

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STATE & REGULATORY RESOURCES

 

Where the rules, requirements, and official data live

 

Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) – Primary state agency overseeing affordable housing programs, funding, and policy implementation.

 

Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC) – Cabinet-level office coordinating housing, planning, and community development policy.

 

Accessory Dwelling Units, Section 8 of Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024 - Allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under 900 square feet to be built by-right in single-family zoning districts.

 

Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit Law – State law enabling affordable housing development through a streamlined permitting process.

 

Multi-Family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities, Section 3A of MGL c. 40A -

State zoning law requiring multifamily zoning near transit to expand housing opportunities.

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DEVELOPMENT, FINANCE, PRODUCTION

 

How affordable housing gets planned, funded, and built

 

Essex County Habitat for Humanity – Builds and rehabilitates affordable homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income households in Essex County.

 

Harborlight Homes – North Shore–based nonprofit developer creating affordable rental housing, supportive housing, and senior housing. (formerly Harborlight Community Partners)

 

North Shore Community Development Coalition (NSCDC) – Regional network strengthening nonprofit housing and community development capacity on the North Shore.

 

Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) – Provides predevelopment financing and technical assistance to nonprofit affordable housing developers across Massachusetts.

 

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Boston – Supports community development through financing, capacity building, and technical assistance.

 

Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) – Trade association for CDCs, offering policy leadership, training, and peer learning.

 

MassHousing – State housing finance agency providing loans, bond financing, and programs that support affordable rental and homeownership housing.

 

MassDevelopment – State development finance agency supporting mixed-use, downtown revitalization, and adaptive reuse projects.

 

Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC) – Leading LIHTC syndicator helping finance affordable rental housing statewide.

 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston) – Provides Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants and loans that support housing production and preservation.