Housing
Greater Boston's housing shortage is holding back our businesses
Why this is important for businesses
According to a 2022 survey of Charles River Regional Chamber members.
- ____ of our members tell us that “attracting and retaining workers” is their number one business challenge.
- Workforce worries a pronounced concern for our market’s employers: A stunning 76% percent of our region's businesses told us staffing would be critical to their 20 success.
Local businesses are having trouble filling everything from high-salary tech and life sciences jobs to hourly workers for hotels and restaurants. In some instances, we’ve even seen businesses curtail their hours because of this worker shortage. Others have left the area altogether.
Building more housing for our workforce will benefit our businesses and keep our local economy humming. More local workers will also help alleviate congestion on our roads, which improves our carbon footprints. It’s vital that our region and our neighboring communities seize the opportunity to create workforce housing to attract new companies and keep businesses in the area.
Of Newton Residents Communte
Outside of Newton Daily
Of Employees at Newton Business
Commute in From Outside Newton
Chamber Advocacy Efforts
Many factors contributed to our crisis, including interest rates, construction costs, and of course worker shortages. However, the aspects that we focus on restrictive zoning and the obstacles in the development process. These are factors that are directly affected by local town/meetings and state house decisions, and thus where we can effect the most change.
Media
The Chamber is active in various media spaces, whether through our bi-weekly newsletter or other publications. We call out the progress or obstacles to housing in our communities. This work can help educate and amplify the business voice in the housing crisis.
Local Government Relations
The Chamber is active in local municipal meetings and has the ear of many town officials. At Zoning Board meetings, we support common sense multi-family developments. Recently, we have participated in "MBTA community" meetings, making statements asking town leaders to seize the generational opportunity to increase their housing stock.
Events
The Chamber runs various events and training sessions for our members. We invite speakers to lead discussions on housing. Additionally, we have run training for businesses on how to affect change in local government through public comment.
