Business and Nonprofit Leaders Join Forces for Massachusetts Housing Campaign

The Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) has kicked off a new campaign called “Our Massachusetts” with the help of 11 prominent business and nonprofit leaders. Their mission? To support people who want more housing in their areas and get local approvals for housing projects, especially in towns served by the MBTA. This fall, many municipalities will discuss new rules for multifamily housing under the MBTA Communities Law. Meanwhile, a court case could affect how this law is enforced. Among the co-chairs are leaders from construction and development like Suffolk Construction’s John Fish and HYM Investment Group’s Tom O’Brien. Other co-chairs include Kendalle Burlin O'Connell from MassBio, Nicole Obi from BECMA, Greg Reibman from the Charles River Regional Chamber, Beth O’Neill Maloney from the Kendall Square Association, and JD Chesloff from the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. These groups are seeing housing as a major issue. “Companies find it tough to grow here because other places have better job markets and cheaper housing,” said Eastern Bank's Bob Rivers, another co-chair. CHAPA aims to help supportive residents and businesspeople spread pro-housing messages. They’re working with Governor Maura Healey’s group One Commonwealth and others to raise funds. Nonprofit leaders like Betty Francisco from Boston Impact Initiative, Gladys Vega from La Colaborativa, and Mike Kennealy from Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston are also part of this effort. Kennealy was key in implementing the 2021 MBTA Communities law when he was economic development secretary for then-governor Charlie Baker. Francisco said, “We’re using our networks to push for housing as a priority across communities. ” Many people don’t realize how big this problem is. This is part of a weekly column about Boston's business scene movers and shakers.