(The opinions and views expressed in The Somerville Times commentaries and letters to the editor are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or editors.)
Jason Mackey, resident of Somerville
When my partner and I moved to Somerville in September 2019, it was a conscious decision. We were fed up with the astronomical rents and cold, impersonal atmosphere of Kendall Square. We wanted to be part of a real community—somewhere where neighbors actually know each other, where local businesses are a part of everyday life, and where we can feel truly connected. And Somerville gave us that. But a few years later, it feels like that community is under attack. Rising rents and the ever-increasing cost of living are displacing not only families, but also artists, longtime residents, and small business owners—the very people who make this city so special.
I know there’s a lot of debate about how to solve the problem. Some people are calling for more affordable housing. And don’t get me wrong, affordable housing – housing that’s affordable specifically for lower-income people – is important. But just focusing on affordable housing isn’t going to solve the larger problem. We also need to think about building more market-rate housing. Let me explain why.
Greater Boston, including Somerville, is facing a serious housing shortage. There simply isn’t enough housing, and that’s driving up prices everywhere. Imagine Somerville as a popular restaurant with only 100 tables. Every night, 150 people want to eat there. What happens? The restaurant can raise prices, and only the 100 richest diners come to eat there. The other 50 people are out of luck—or they drive up prices at other restaurants nearby. The same is true in the housing market. If we don’t have enough market-rate housing, people with more money will compete for the few apartments we have, driving up rents and home prices for everyone else.
That’s where market-rate housing comes in. When new housing is built at market rates, it’s usually fairly expensive to begin with, attracting higher-income people. But over time, these units age and naturally become more affordable—a process called “filtering.” Just as today’s luxury car eventually becomes tomorrow’s used-car bargain, today’s fancy apartment could be the home of a middle-income family in a decade or two. So by building more market-rate housing now, we’re actually creating a future supply of housing that will help relieve pressure on older, more affordable housing in the future.
If we only create affordable housing, we are not addressing the root of the problem: supply and demand. Wealthier people who cannot find new, quality housing will turn to older, cheaper housing, and this competition drives up prices. By stimulating the housing market at more market rates, we give higher earners a place to live, which takes the pressure off existing, more affordable housing and keeps it affordable for those who need it most.
And let’s be blunt: If we focus solely on affordable housing, developers might stop building altogether. Construction costs are high, especially around here, and developers need to see a return on their investment. Market-rate housing can help make these projects financially viable, and if we combine that with smart policies – like inclusionary zoning that requires a certain percentage of new housing to be affordable – we can create mixed-use neighborhoods that keep Somerville vibrant and diverse.
Another issue is land. We’re running out of it. In densely populated areas like Somerville, where space is at a premium, building upwards is a no-brainer. If we build upwards, we can build more homes without using up what little land we have left, and keep prices from skyrocketing.
So just focusing on affordable housing? That’s not the panacea we want. Without enough market-rate housing, we’re only going to drive prices up. And that’s bad news for everyone, especially the people who need affordable housing the most.
The bottom line is this: We need a balanced approach. Yes, affordable housing is important, but we can’t ignore the role of market-rate housing in the bigger picture. If we want Somerville – and the greater Boston area – to remain a place where people of all income levels can live, work and thrive, we need to create more housing across the board. That means market-rate housing. It’s not about resisting change; it’s about shaping it in a way that benefits as many people as possible and keeps our communities strong and inclusive for years to come.
