Healey plans to add 3,500 housing units to Mass.
BOSTON (WWLP) – Governor Healey announced a statewide plan to boost housing in Massachusetts that will utilize previously-unused state-owned land as new housing sites.
The Bay State released its first-ever inventory of state-owned surplus land that can be used for state housing, and they found several dozen sites that will support around 3,500 housing units.
The state is planning to partner with developers to get these properties ready for residents as soon as possible.
'If you are a city or town that's had state properties languishing for years, underutilized, now you're going to have a chance to do something about that,' said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 'Not only providing new housing that's going to serve your community and serve the commonwealth, but also create new tax revenues.'
Developers will make bids to develop these sites, and the Healey-Driscoll administration says more sites will be made available as soon as this summer. Here in western Massachusetts, at least one site–at the former Monson Developmental Center Campus–is expected to be turned into housing.
The governor says affordable housing is becoming increasingly crucial as young professionals and families move away from Massachusetts in favor of more affordable neighbors.
'I talk to so many families, young families starting out, couples without kids, who are just dying to buy a home here but haven't found one in their price point and this will be a game changer,' said Governor Healey.
So far, 1,500 units are under construction at sites across the state, and 17 more sites are expected to be made available over the next year. In all, 450 acres of state land are being made available for housing development, but the timeline for completed housing units is not yet clear.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Senator Markey announces plans to file amendment on AI regulation
BOSTON (WWLP) – State Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) has announced that he intends to file an amendment on AI regulation. Senator Markey said he plans to file an amendment to the Senate reconciliation bill to block Republicans' attempt to prevent states from regulating AI in the next ten years. Senators in both parties have expressed an interest in regulating artificial intelligence. Car dealership aids relief at Baystate Children's Hospital 'Despite the overwhelming opposition to their plan to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade, Republicans are refusing to back down on this irresponsible and short-sighted provision,' said Senator Markey. Last Tuesday, the senator delivered remarks on the Senate floor opposing the reconciliation bill passed in the House. He also took part in a virtual roundtable last week with advocates to discuss the ban's impact on communities throughout the United States. 'I plan to file an amendment to strip this dangerous provision from Republicans' 'Big Beautiful Bill,'' Markey said. 'Republicans should be prepared to vote on this outrageous policy and explain to their constituents why they are preventing their state leaders from responding to the harms caused by this new and evolving technology.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Healey backs Newsom in fight with Trump over LA protest response
BOSTON (SHNS) – Gov. Maura Healey backed California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday as protests over federal immigration raids have dragged into their fifth day in Los Angeles. 'I stand in support with Governor Newsom, and supporting his prerogative as commander in chief to lead local and state law enforcement in protecting communities. What Donald Trump is doing is making communities less safe,' Healey told reporters Wednesday after an unrelated event outside of the State House. The protests started in LA on Friday, when Immigration Customs Enforcement raids took place across the city. Over the weekend, the demonstrations escalated and the Trump administration sent about 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city. Mayor Karen Bass implemented a curfew in downtown LA and Newsom filed an emergency motion to try to block further deployment of troops in the city center. 'They're talking about spending over a $100 million with this deployment,' Bass said at a news conference, according to Courthouse News Service. 'Which is why I say that I feel like we have all been in Los Angeles a part of a grand experiment to see what happens when the federal government decides they want to roll up on a state, or roll up on a city, and take over.' President Donald Trump posted about the LA protests and military deployment on his social media platform, Truth Social, several times Wednesday morning. 'If our troops didn't go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now, just like so much of their housing burned to the ground. The great people of Los Angeles are very lucky that I made the decision to go in and help!!!' he wrote. Another post says, 'The INCOMPETENT Governor of California was unable to provide protection in a timely manner when our Ice Officers, GREAT Patriots they are, were attacked by an out of control mob of agitators, troublemakers, and/or insurrectionists. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Gov. Newsom has responded by calling Trump a threat to American life. 'California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next,' he warned during a press conference on Wednesday. 'Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived.' Healey told reporters that she joins with governors and attorneys general around the country in denouncing Trump's actions. 'It is wrong to federalize the National Guard over the objection of and without the consultation of a governor of a state,' she said. 'It's making our communities less safe, and it puts law enforcement in danger,' adding that 'I don't want to see them in harm's way either, just like I don't want to see members of our military in harm's way.' 'In terms of what happens next with court actions. I'll leave that to the attorney general and support whatever steps she takes that she thinks are important to vindicate things as a legal matter, because that's her domain,' Healey said. Attorney General Andrea Campbell joined a group of 18 attorneys general in releasing a statement Wednesday condemning Trump's military deployment to the city 'as the chief law enforcement officers' in their respective states. 'The president's decision to federalize and deploy California's National Guard without the consent of California state leaders is unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic,' the statement reads. It continues, 'The federal administration should be working with local leaders to keep everyone safe, not mobilizing the military against the American people… We oppose any action from this administration that will sow chaos, inflame tensions, and put people's lives at risk – including those of our law enforcement officers.' WBUR reported over 200 people gathered for a rally at Boston City Hall on Monday for a rally against ICE raids in LA and Trump's response to the protests. There are several protests planned around the state on June 14 as part of a nationwide 'No Kings Day' effort, on the same day Trump is planning a military parade in Washington D.C. to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, which also falls on his 79th birthday. At a press conference this week, Bass said the protests have been limited to about five streets or one square mile of the city, compared to 503 square miles in Los Angeles. She said city officials, including police, have the capacity to handle protests and are not getting information from federal officials about immigration raids. 'I would appeal to the president to stop the ICE raids so that we can have stability in our city,' Bass said. 'I think about the families who are afraid to go to work and go to school. I was talking to a friend today who in her local grocery store, the shelves were empty, a lot of the shelves were empty, because people aren't coming to work to stock the shelves. We have to look at the contribution that the immigrant population makes to our local economy. And you know that there are some industries that the majority are immigrant labor. And so when you frighten immigrants and they don't want to come to work you are hitting at the heart of our local economy. The nannies that can't show up, the gardeners that can't show up, that impacts households in a way that I don't think people often realize the extent.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
When is Trump's military parade? What to know about Trump's birthday, parade tickets, more
When is Trump's military parade? What to know about Trump's birthday, parade tickets, more Show Caption Hide Caption Armored tanks arrive in DC for Trump's military birthday parade As Washington, D.C. prepares for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, armored tanks have begun to arrive ahead of Saturday's celebration. President Donald Trump's birthday will be celebrated with a massive military parade on June 14, and while it's meant to honor the Army's 250th birthday, Trump's military parade dreams are finally coming true. The Army's 250th birthday parade on June 14 in the heart of Washington, D.C., is free to attend and will include thousands of troops, warplanes, horses, mules, parachuters, musical performances, celebrities and a dog named Doc Holliday. In addition to Trump's birthday, June 14 is also Flag Day 2025, over 1,700 "No Kings" protests worldwide; and a celebration for Pope Leo XIV in Chicago. While the Army has not billed the parade as a celebration for Trump, the addition of a rare American military parade began in earnest last month. Trump has over the years expressed his desire for a large military parade in the U.S. and told NBC in May the parade's cost was "peanuts." Here's what to know about the parade date, time, how to get tickets, how to watch it on TV or livestream and more. When is the Army's birthday? The Army is marking its 250th birthday on June 14. On that date in 1775, the Continental Army was formed. When is Donald Trump's birthday? President Donald Trump's birthday is June 14, 1946. How old is President Trump? Trump age He will be 79 on June 14. Trump military parade date: When is Trump's military parade? The Army Birthday Parade will take place June 14 on Constitution Avenue near the National Mall in the heart of Washington. Trump will sit in a viewing stand on Constitution Avenue, just south of the White House. What is the Trump military parade time? The Army said the parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and conclude around 7:30 p.m. Following the parade, Trump is expected to attend an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony. There will also be a concert at the Ellipse, the park south of the White House fence, and the U.S. Army Golden Knights team will parachute in and present Trump with the U.S. flag. The evening will conclude with fireworks around 9:45 p.m. Trump military parade RSVP: How to get DC military parade 2025 tickets Free tickets for the U.S. Army's Grand Military Parade and Celebration are limited. Those interested in attending can RSVP online here. The form includes your full name, email, phone number, ZIP code and state. Two people can register under one cellphone number. How to watch Trump military parade: Is Trump parade on TV? See channel, streaming The parade and other highlights from the military celebration will be livestreamed across U.S. Army social media platforms, although the event may not broadcast directly on national TV, and instead on streaming platforms. Variety reported national TV news networks, such as ABC, NBC and CBS, are unlikely to preempt regular TV programming to cover the event, citing sources familiar with their plans. Streaming platforms, like ABC News Live, NBC News Now and CBS News 24/7 are instead planning to cover the event. What is the Trump military parade cost? The latest price tag for the massive event is $30 million, a figure that could rise as high as $45 million. The Army has promised to fix any city streets caused by parade damage, including from the massive tanks rolling through, according to USA TODAY. Cleanup costs and police were not part of the estimate. Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
