Wellesley and Needham face similar housing challenges: rising costs, the loss of smaller homes, and limited options for young families, seniors, and our local workforce. Wellesley faces the additional challenge of a declining school enrollment.

The Legalize Starter Homes question on the November 3rd statewide ballot would allow single-family homes to be built in any residentially-zoned area as long as the lot has at least 5,000 square feet, at least 50 feet of land bordering the street, and access to public sewer and water services. (Today, both Needham and Wellesley have a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet to build a home, with some lots requiring as much as 40,000 sq. ft.).

Because land is so expensive, legalizing starter homes in Massachusetts will result in smaller homes, more affordable homes, and more homes in general.

Our Speaker: Andrew Mikula is one of the key organizers of Ballot Question 7. Andrewis Chief Housing Economist at Pioneer Institute, specializing in housing policy and economic development. His research areas of interest include housing affordability, regulatory reform, and urban planning. Andrew is a product of the Wellesley Public Schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bates College and a master’s degree in urban planning from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Program co-sponsored by Building a Better Wellesley and the Needham Housing Coalition, with League of Women Voters of Wellesley and League of Women Voters of Needham. Question 7 is also endorsed by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and the Charles River Regional Chamber