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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
The Impact of Minimum Lot Size Requirements on Massachusetts Housing Prices
One of the biggest, least-discussed reasons housing is so expensive in Massachusetts comes down to something simple: minimum lot size rules. These rules were put in place at a time in the 1960s and 1970s when they were meant to slow the pace of growth but, nearly 50-years later, we've entered a phase were net new housing production is now nearly frozen in Most Greater Boston communities. Since the 1970s, it's been reported that minimum lot sizes were one of the greatest threa
Jonathan Berk
2 days ago2 min read
Salem Eliminates Minimum Parking Requirements For New Multi-Family Housing
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS- On Thursday, the Salem City Council voted 10-1 to eliminate onerous minimum parking requirements for new...
Jonathan Berk
Sep 296 min read
Parking Mandates Are One Of The Greatest Threats to Historic Preservation
A version of this post originally appeared in the September 1 issue of Banker and Tradesman . Across the country, historic buildings and...
Jonathan Berk
Sep 25 min read
Small-Scale Housing, Big-Time Solution: The Missing Middle Blueprint in Massachusetts
Massachusetts needs 222,000 new homes in the next decade. Right now, we’re building at a pace that barely gets us to half of what’s...
Jonathan Berk
Aug 63 min read
The 7,000-Step Solution: How Walkable Neighborhoods Save Lives
For years, the magic number of 10,000 steps a day has been touted as the path to a healthier life. However, recent research published in...
Jonathan Berk
Aug 43 min read
Cape Cod's Restrictive Zoning A Threat to It's Future
Cape Cod, known for its world-famous beaches, resort hotels, charming New England towns, and abundant summer activities, attracts...
Jonathan Berk
Jul 283 min read
How Additive Language Transforms the Zoning Reform Debate
The terms "eliminating parking minimums" and "eliminating single-family zoning" frequently appear in newspaper headlines as housing...
Jonathan Berk
Jul 234 min read
Bipartisan 'Accelerating Home Building Act' Introduced in Congress
U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), members of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs...
Jonathan Berk
Jul 222 min read
Bipartisan ADU Financing Bill Introduced in Congress
Congressman Sam Liccardo (D-CA) and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) introduced H.R. 4479 today in Congress. The Supporting Upgraded...
Jonathan Berk
Jul 182 min read
Portland's Middle Housing Success Story
Portland’s Quiet Housing Revolution: How The Residential Infill Program (RIP) is Changing the Game in The Pacific Northwest In 2020,...
Jonathan Berk
Jul 12 min read
New Report Paints Bleak Picture on State of Housing in America
The 2025 State of the Nation’s Housing report by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies presents a concerning view of the U.S....
Jonathan Berk
Jun 243 min read
Unlocking 222,000 Homes Through A Middle Housing Revolution
Massachusetts faces a well-documented housing crisis, with Governor Maura Healey’s administration calling for the creation of 220,000+...
Jonathan Berk
Jun 135 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
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