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The re:Main re:Think is a biweekly journey into the ideas, people, and policies that are transforming the future of housing. From visionary policymakers and trailblazing entrepreneurs to grassroots advocates and creative developers, we’ll spotlight those leading the charge to expand housing options and build vibrant, inclusive communities of all kinds. Have a policy, program, or project that’s pushing boundaries? We want to hear from you. Submit it here, and we may feature it in a future issue. Thanks for joining us. Let’s rethink what’s possible—together.
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Introducing 'The re:Main re:Think'
As the global housing shortage and affordability crisis worsen, and housing options become scarcer, essential innovations in building,...
Jonathan Berk
May 132 min read
Unlocking 222,000 Homes Through Middle Housing
Massachusetts faces a well-documented housing crisis, with Governor Maura Healey’s administration calling for the creation of 220,000+...
Jonathan Berk
19 hours ago4 min read
This Weeks Big, Beautiful... Texas Housing Bills
In a week dominated by talk of "big, beautiful bills," the Texas' Legislature has been busy sending a slew of bills to the Governor's...
Jonathan Berk
May 283 min read
Forced "Aging In Place" Harms Our Seniors & Our Communities
Let's start this story with some great news. Americans are living longer, healthier lives overall. In fact, American's average life...
Jonathan Berk
Apr 247 min read
A Bold Roadmap For Massachusetts' Housing Future
On Friday, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll unveiled the final report from the Unlocking Housing...
Jonathan Berk
Feb 244 min read
Missing Middle Key To Abundant Housing Future
Massachusetts needs 222,000 new housing units over the next decade. New England requires nearly 600,000 units, while millions are needed...
Jonathan Berk
Feb 185 min read
New England Needs 600,000 Homes. Could Cross Border Collaboration Lead to Housing Success?
As the housing crisis continues to affect communities throughout the United States, New England is at a crucial juncture. The region is...
Jonathan Berk
Feb 73 min read
Housing A Main Focus In Bipartisan Slate of State Of The State Addresses
Unlike many contemporary issues in America, there is strong bipartisan support for initiatives addressing the growing existential crisis...
Jonathan Berk
Jan 157 min read
MBTA Communities Gold Star: Needham
Needham, Massachusetts, located a few miles west of Boston, is one of the fortunate suburbs in Greater Boston that enjoys a vibrant...
Jonathan Berk
Jan 74 min read
MBTA Communities Gold Star: Franklin
The next feature in this series highlights a community worthy of special recognition, not only for its compliance with MBTA Communities...
Jonathan Berk
Dec 18, 20243 min read
We Must Rebrand Housing as a Benefit, Not a Burden
I’m often asked by area business owners and residents, “What can we do to support solutions to our housing issues in our own...
Jonathan Berk
Dec 15, 20244 min read
America's Walkable Housing Gap
Let's set a baseline of understanding here first. Does every American want to live in a walkable neighborhood in a smaller home or...
Jonathan Berk
Dec 11, 20244 min read
MBTA Communities Gold Star: Andover
New Housing & A Robust Small Business Community Andover approached MBTA Communities compliance with the mindset of 'how can encourage the...
Jonathan Berk
Dec 10, 20243 min read
MBTA Communities Gold Star: Watertown
In November, Massachusetts reached a major milestone in the MBTA Communities implementation process, providing an opportunity to...
Jonathan Berk
Nov 27, 20244 min read
MBTA Communities Gold Stars
Four years after Former Governor Charlie Baker enacted Housing Choice, which encompassed MBTA Communities, Massachusetts achieved a...
Jonathan Berk
Nov 26, 20242 min read
The Walkability Of Halloween In Salem (leave the car at home)
In October, Salem, Massachusetts hosts over 1.2 million visitors in its compact downtown area the covers less than 2 square miles, a...
Jonathan Berk
Oct 30, 20243 min read
America Is Aging. Our Communities Are Not Ready
Thanks to significant advancements in healthcare, medicine, and living conditions, the average lifespan of Americans has greatly risen....
Jonathan Berk
Oct 15, 20244 min read
New Report Looks At Impact Of "Single-Stair" Reform in Massachusetts
Last month I wrote a bit about the wave of "single-stair" reforms sweeping across North America. This reform would allow something called...
Jonathan Berk
Oct 10, 20244 min read
Single Stair Reform Comes to British Columbia. Who's Next?
Across North America, single stair reform or 'point access blocks' have the potential to be one of the most significant building code...
Jonathan Berk
Aug 29, 20242 min read
Massachusetts' Future Depends On Our Ability To Break Down Barriers To Infill Development
Our policies and processes make it exceedingly difficult, costly and risky to build on these infill sites perpetuating our region's sprawl.
Jonathan Berk
Aug 27, 20245 min read
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