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s Boston prepares to implement a new affordable housing mandate, the commercial real estate industry is urging officials to delay its implementation. NAIOP Massachusetts, led by Tamara Small, is requesting that the October 1 deadline be pushed back due to concerns over the potential impact on development. The updated rules will require 20% of income-restricted units in new multifamily and condo developments, up from 13%. This change was approved last year, but its implementation has been delayed twice already.

    Developers are worried that the increased affordability requirements will further depress housing production in Boston, making it harder to get a return on investment. Small claims that the regulations will "dampen already depressed housing production" and drive up market-rate housing costs. The data on construction is unclear, but a recent Redfin analysis found that housing affordability in Boston slipped below 5% at the end of last year, with only 4.7% of listings considered affordable.