Boston Weighs Workforce Housing for City Employees

By Patrick Wilson

The Boston City Council is set to discuss a proposal aimed at helping city employees afford housing in the area’s costly real estate market.

A hearing order filed for Wednesday’s council meeting by Councilors Julia Mejia and Benjamin Weber notes that while city staff are required to be Boston residents, many struggle with soaring rent prices.

The proposal highlights that around 7,500 municipal employees earn between $31,200, the federal poverty wage, and $103,880 – which is 70% of the area’s median income.

With home prices and rents skyrocketing, the councilors argue workforce housing policies are needed to enable these middle-income city workers to live in the communities they serve.

Details on what such a workforce housing program would entail were not included, but the council aims to study potential solutions during the upcoming hearing.

As Boston grapples with a persistent affordable housing crunch, the proposal seeks to ensure those employed by the city can afford to reside locally without being priced out.

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