The Massachusetts State Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee recently concluded an investigation and published a report that calls for greater transparency and accountability under the state’s Chapter 40B affordable housing law, which allows developers to override local zoning laws limiting the number of units able to be built, so long as they agree to set aside a portion of affordable units, limit their profits, and return excess earnings to the municipality. The report, “Chapter 40B: Building Accountability into the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Program” states that there has been no consistent oversight or audit of Chapter 40B projects and that the program is governed by guidelines rather than regulations. read more…