​AG Campbell today filed a lawsuit against the towns of Dracut, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Holden, Marblehead, Middleton, Tewksbury, Wilmington, and Winthrop for their continued noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Law, which was signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker in January 2021 to address the Commonwealth’s critical housing shortage. The lawsuit seeks to ensure that the towns comply with the law, which mandates that each community served by the MBTA adopts a zoning district in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right.

“Massachusetts has a housing crisis, and our Commonwealth is unaffordable. The vast majority of MBTA Communities deeply understand that developing more multi-family housing will improve our ability to attract businesses, retain our families and residents, and ensure that Massachusetts remains the greatest state in the country to live, start a family, and work. While bringing a lawsuit is never my first choice, courts have consistently ruled that compliance with this law is mandatory, and the urgency of our housing shortage compels me to act to ensure that all MBTA Communities meet their legal responsibilities. My office remains ready to assist any town working to come into compliance with the law.” – AG Campbell