Boston mayor, challenger clash over affordable housing policies

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and opponent Josh Kraft offer different policies to solve the city’s housing shortage.

In 2022 , from 2022 , the year after Wu took office, to 2024 , 5,455 total affordable homes were completed or are under construction.

Inclusionary zoning requires new residential developments with seven or more units to set aside at least 20% of units as affordable housing.

Kraft 's plan to assist residents with even lower incomes is to provide tax breaks to landlords who keep rents low.

The mayor has worked to preserve the affordability of existing housing, establishing the Boston Acquisition Fund in December to supplement the existing Acquisition Opportunity Program, which provides loans to organizations purchasing occupied market-rate housing to make it income-restricted. Last week , the city announced the purchase of a Mattapan development with more than 300 apartments through this program, which is funded with public-private support from the city and Boston institutions and philanthropies. 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency , LLC ..