Housing & Transportation - Fifth Middlesex Senate District
Making It Possible to Live, Work, and Move
Massachusetts cannot remain economically vibrant if people cannot afford to live near opportunity. That challenge sits at the intersection of two systems that only work if they work together: housing supply and cost, and the transit that connects people to jobs, regardless of where they can afford to live.
At a Glance
Both name housing as the district's central affordability challenge. Lipper-Garabedian points to her support for the Affordable HOMES Act and cites specific MBTA improvements delivered during her tenure, including Orange Line slow-zone elimination and a new train fleet. McDonald focuses on easing permitting specifically for 2–3 family housing and income-qualified affordable housing, as an alternative to luxury development, plus expanded suburban bus service.
The Question Candidates Answered: "I support policies that expand opportunity by making it easier for people to live, work, and move throughout the Commonwealth."
Kate Lipper-Garabedian: I support this principle
How would you advance this principle if elected? Housing is perhaps our greatest affordability challenge as a Commonwealth, and the 5th Middlesex District is on the front lines. The State is working to address decades of underinvestment in our housing stock – including through the Affordable HOMES Act, the single largest State investment in housing in the State's history, which I proudly supported. There is no silver bullet policy that fixes this. There are many policy levers that can and need to be pulled at the state level, and I will keep pushing on all of them as State Senator. I will continue to champion policies that increase access to housing people can afford, including zoning reform, first-time homebuyer and down payment assistance, tenant right to purchase policies, and senior-friendly housing solutions that help older adults age in place in their communities.
Predictable and reliable transit is also critical for the 5th Middlesex. We have 10 train stations serving 2 commuter rail lines, 2 also serving the Orange Line, and 14 bus routes. Using Fair Share dollars, I have supported historic investments in our mass transit system to enhance quality, accessibility, and affordability, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I am proud that efforts in my six years as State Rep have led to station modernization, accessibility improvements, the elimination of slow zones on the Orange Line, a completely new fleet of Orange Line trains, and the creation of the low-income fare program.
What would success look like? In the Senate, I will continuously advocate for state investment in public transportation and support initiatives that making housing more accessible and affordable. Through effective collaboration with municipalities and stakeholders, I will continue moving the needle by writing, voting on, and implementing policy that addresses our greatest challenges..
Carey McDonald: I support this principle
How would you advance this principle if elected?
Housing is a cornerstone issue for being able to hold a job, get well if you get sick, and go to school. It should be a human right. The housing crisis is displacing thousands of people from our communities. I support making it easier to build the kind of 2-3 family housing that has been used for generations in our communities to build wealth and access starter homes. I also want to take sure that we streamline permitting for badly needed income-qualified affordable housing projects, which are difficult to make happen, rather than just building more luxury condos.
We do need to continue to invest in the MBTA, who has done a good job in the last few years clearing the maintenance backlog. I want o improve bus service across our suburban communities and access to multipurpose trails, so people have more transportation options.
What would success look like? In addition to social mobility, we can look at home ownership and car use rates. We should also monitor how much of their income people have to spend on housing, often more that. 40-50%, which is unfair and unsustainable.
Ryan O'Malley: not available