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Early voting for the State Primary on September 1, 2026, takes place through Friday, August 28. Find a date and location that works for you:
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Boston's Anti-Displacement Action Plan: Progress Summary

In 2025, the City of Boston adopted its first citywide anti-displacement action plan, A Place to Thrive - a two-year roadmap to confront residential, commercial, and cultural displacement. See below for a summary of progress from the first year of implementation.

Bringing together Cabinets across the administration, including Planning, Mayor’s Office of Housing, Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, Environment, Energy and Open Space, Worker Empowerment, and Equity & Inclusion, and numerous others, A Place to Thrive represents a unified, citywide commitment to keeping residents, small businesses, and cultural operators rooted in the communities they call home. As part of the plan's two-year implementation timeline, the City committed to providing a public progress report at the end of the first year.

As a reminder, the goals of this effort are to:

  • Stabilize residents – both renters and homeowners – so they can root and thrive here, while creating space to welcome new neighbors
  • Stabilize neighborhood commercial and creative enterprises, supporting their diversity and vibrancy

Learn more

Read the Full Progress Report

We are tracking progress on 53 stabilization tools, combining 42 original initiatives from A Place to Thrive with eleven post-plan additions spearheaded by City departments. While substantial work lies ahead, this update serves as a transparent look at our progress over the past year and the City’s ongoing efforts to fulfill the commitments we made one year ago.

 

READ the progress report 

 

Report cover featuring Boston skyline

Understanding our Approach

The City’s anti-displacement initiatives are structured around a widely accepted framework, adapted to reflect the needs and values of our constituents and the City. 

Most stabilization plans anchor on the “three P’s”: protecting people — particularly lower income or vulnerable renters and homeowners—from being displaced, preserving existing housing, and producing new housing for people of all incomes. 

Boston’s novel approach expands on this foundation in two important ways. First, through the introduction of a fourth “P”: prosperity. Homeownership and entrepreneurship opportunities, financial planning, access to well-paying jobs, and contracting opportunities are key to ensuring constituents can thrive, not just survive. Second, the City’s anti-displacement plan looks beyond housing to include deliberate efforts to stabilize small businesses and cultural operators, grounded in the same “four P’s” framework. This broader focus is what constituents have asked for, and it reflects the reality that resident stability is premised on both stable housing and the ability to easily access the goods and services that serve their needs.

We’re tracking progress across two categories of stabilization tools: Residential and Commercial/Cultural.

 

Residential (34 Tools): Includes 29 initiatives established in A Place to Thrive and five tools launched after the plan's publication.

 

Graphic titled '4 P’s of Housing Stability' with a red roof-shaped banner. Below it, four sections outline key strategies: Protect: Icon of a person holding a shield. Text: 'Protect renters and low-income homeowners from displacement.' Preserve: Icon of an apartment building. Text: 'Make sure affordable public and private housing stays affordable.' Produce: Icon of a construction crane lifting a house. Text: 'Produce new housing for people of all incomes.' Prosper: Icon of a person raising their arms above

Commercial/Cultural (21 Tools): Includes 15 commitments from the 2025 plan along with six tools developed post-plan to stabilize small businesses and cultural operators.

 

Graphic titled '4 P’s of Commercial + Cultural Stability' with four sections: Protect: Icon of a small storefront with a shield. Text: 'Protect anchor small businesses and cultural enterprises.' Preserve: Icon of a small storefront. Text: 'Preserve and improve physical spaces & places that are significant to the community.' Produce: Icon of a construction crane and building materials. Text: 'Produce new affordable and market-rate commercial/cultural space in priority areas.' Prosper: Icon of a person raisi

Implementing The tool is live and delivering resources or being executed on the ground.
In Development The program is being designed or scheduled for pilot phases.
Awaiting Legislative Action

The City supports this legislation at the State or City Council level and is waiting for possible enabling legislation to proceed.

Note: City policy priorities with a * require formal enabling authorization from the Massachusetts State Legislature and Governor (e.g., Home Rule Petitions) or City Council. Legislative status is current as of July 2026.
Under Review The initiative is undergoing feasibility testing or active scoping to define next steps.
On Hold Progress is paused, typically due to funding constraints or capacity limits.

Age Strong Commission

Age Strong

Boston Housing Authority

BHA

Boston Public Library

BPL

Boston Public Schools

BPS

Department of Innovation & Technology

DoIT

Equity & Inclusion

E&I

      Office of Black Male Advancement

E&I - OBMA

Environment, Energy & Open Space Cabinet

EEOS

    Environment Department

EEOS - Environment

    Office of Housing Preservation

EEOS - OHP

    Office of Climate Resilience

EEOS - OCR

Fair Housing & Equity Commission

Fair Housing

Finance Cabinet

Finance

    Assessing Department

Finance - Assessing

Intergovernmental Relations

IGR

Inspectional Services Department

ISD

Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture

MOAC

Mayor's Office of Housing

MOH

Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics

MONUM

Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion

OEOI

    Office of Small Business

OEOI - Small Business

Office of Emergency Management

OEM

Planning Department

Planning

Worker Empowerment Cabinet

WE

    Center for Working Families

WE - CWF

    Office of Labor Compliance and Worker Protections

WE - OLCWP

    Office of Workforce Development

WE - OWD

RESIDENTIAL STABILIZATION TOOLS: IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS

Residential Stabilization

See the City’s full list of anti-displacement tools, existing and new, here.

*Require approval of the Massachusetts Legislature and the Governor, or City Council

    Strategy: Prevent Evictions
   
  • Access to Counsel for Families (Pilot)
  

Implementing

MOH, BPS
   
  • Eviction Prevention Action Plan
  

In Development

MOH
   
  • Access to Counsel Legislation*
  

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, MOH
    Strategy: Protect and Support Tenants
   
  • SHORE-UP Pilot (Formerly ‘Stabilization Supports for Older Adult Renters’)
  

Implementing

BHA, MOH, Age Strong
   
  • Article 80 Direct Displacement Disclosure
  

Implementing

Planning, MOH, OEOI, MOAC
   
  • Updated Condominium & Cooperative Conversion Ordinance
  

Awaiting Legislative Action

MOH
   
  • Bridge Subsidy Legislation*
  

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, MOH, Age Strong, BHA
   
  • Rent Stabilization Legislation*
  

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, MOH
    Strategy: Increase Access to Income-Restricted Housing
   
  • Lottery Preferences for Directly Displaced, Extreme Rent-Burdened Households
  

Implementing

MOH
   
  • Income-Restricted Housing Application Portal
  

Implementing

MOH
   
  • Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Zoning - Tailoring Select Interventions
  

Implementing

MOH
   
  • Fair Housing Review of Planning
  

Under Review

Planning
   
  • Diversity Preservation Preference
  

Under Review

MOH
    Strategy: Provide Property Tax Relief
   
  • Elderly Exemption (41C) - Increased and Expanded*
  

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, Assessing, Age Strong
   
  • Residential Property Tax Relief Legislation*
  

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, Assessing, MOH
    Strategy: Alleviate Home Maintenance Costs & Lower Expenses
   
  • Home Repair & Improvement Program
  

Implementing

MOH
   
  • Community Rating System
  

On Hold

EEOS, OEM
   
  • NEW: Boston Energy Saver
  

Implementing

EEOS
   
  • NEW: Solar Loan Pilot Program
  

Implementing

MOH
   
  • NEW: BHA Energy Secure Homes Pilot Program
  

Implementing

BHA
   
  • NEW: Boston Acquisition Fund for Decarbonization
  

In Development

MOH
   
  • NEW: Third-Party Electric Supplier Opt-Out Legislation*
  

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, EEOS
    Strategy: Mitigate Climate Displacement Risks
   
  • Basement Unit Protections (Pilot)
  

Implementing

OCR, Planning, MONUM
Strategy: Preserve "Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing"

Boston Acquisition Fund

Implementing

MOH

Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Legislation*

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, MOH

Good Landlord Tax Relief

On Hold

MOH
Strategy: Preserve Existing Income- Restricted Housing

Inclusionary Zoning in Perpetuity

In Development

MOH
Strategy: Invest Directly in New Income-Restricted Housing
  • Housing Accelerator Fund

Implementing

Planning, MOH, BHA
  • Real Estate Transfer Fee Legislation*

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, MOH
Strategy: Accelerate Conversions to Housing
  • Office-to-Residential Conversion Program - Expanded

In Development

Planning
Strategy: Expand Homeownership
  • Co-Purchasing Program (Pilot)
 Implementing MOH
  • Acquisition for Affordable Homeownership Program
 On Hold MOH
Strategy: Provide Job Training and Career Development
  • Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative
 Implementing WE, EEOS
Strategy: Provide Financial Education
  • Financial Planning for Older Adults
 In Development Age Strong, MOH
Strategy: Expand Homeownership
  • Co-Purchasing Program (Pilot)
 Implementing MOH
  • Acquisition for Affordable Homeownership Program
 On Hold MOH
Strategy: Provide Job Training and Career Development
  • Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative
 Implementing WE, EEOS
Strategy: Provide Financial Education
  • Financial Planning for Older Adults
 In Development Age Strong, MOH

COMMERCIAL/CULTURAL STABILIZATION TOOLS: IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS

Commercial/Cultural Stabilization

See the City’s full list of anti-displacement tools, existing and new, here.

*Require approval of the Massachusetts Legislature and the Governor, or City Council

Strategy: Help to Lower Operating Costs  
  • Increased Small Business Personal Property Tax Exemption*
 Awaiting Legislative Action

 

IGR, Assessing

 
  • NEW: Boston Energy Saver

Implementing

EEOS
Strategy: Enable Relocations and Activate Vacant Spaces  
  • SPACE Grant - Next Generation

In Development

OEOI, Planning

 
  • Space for Creative Enterprise Downtown RFI

Implementing

MOAC
  • Site Finding Assistance & Space Readiness

Implementing

OEOI
  • NEW: Business Inventory Pilot

Implementing

DOIT, OEOI
  • NEW: Pop-up Permitting Pilot

In Development

MONUM
Strategy: Protect and Support Displaced Tenants  
  • Article 80 Direct Displacement Disclosure

Implementing

Planning, MOH, OEOI, MOAC

 
  • Residential Tax Relief Impact Offset for Small Businesses*

Awaiting Legislative Action

IGR, OEOI
Strategy: Stabilize At-Risk Cultural Enterprises
  • Cultural Stabilization Fund
 In Development MOAC
Strategy: Preserve Priority Commercial and Cultural Uses  
  • Affirmative Cultural Zoning
 In Development

 

Planning

 
Strategy: Support Preservation of Spaces with High Public Value  
  • Citywide Survey of Historic Resources

In Development

EEOS - OHP, Planning

 
Strategy: Recognize Areas of Cultural Significance  
  • Architectural Conservation Districts

Implementing

EEOS - OHP

 
Strategy: Rezone for Priority Commercial and Cultural Uses  
  • Accessory Commercial Unit Zoning

In Development

Planning

 
Strategy: Integrate Priority Spaces into New Development      
  • Cultural Infrastructure Planning Framework

In Development

MOAC

 
  • NEW: Creative Space Typology Design Guidance

In Development

MOAC
  • NEW: Citywide Needs Assessment

In Development

Planning
Strategy: Support Historically Disadvantaged Orgs in Pursuing City Contracts  
  • DEI Disclosure - Local Impact Assessment

Under Review

Planning

 
  • NEW: Disparity Study

In Development

OEOI, Procurement
Strategy: Expand Equitable Access to Capital  
  • Invest Boston (Formerly ‘Inclusive Economic Development’)

In Development

OEOI

 
Strategy: Create Wealth by Supporting Property Ownership  
  • Commercial Acquisition Assistance Program - Expanded

Implementing

OEOI

 
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