NEEDHAM, Mass. — Maura Healey has had nearly four years to address the housing crisis, and she has not. The problem has worsened under her watch, while Massachusetts ranks last in the nation in building permits per capita.
The median single-family home price has climbed steadily during Healey’s time in office, reaching $665,000 in May 2026. In 2025, the state’s median home value ran $200,000 above the national median. First-time buyers have been priced out.
Renters are struggling too. The National Low Income Housing Coalition ranks Massachusetts as the third most expensive state for renting a two-bedroom home. Monthly rent in the state averaged roughly $2,708 in 2025, compared with a national average of $2,068, and nearly half of the state’s renters are cost burdened.
Homelessness rose about 74 percent from 2023 to 2024, a jump attributed in part to rising housing costs. More families have lost their homes during Healey’s tenure.
Mike Minogue would take a different approach on two fronts.
Local control. Minogue would end enforcement of the MBTA Communities Act and provide legal support to cities and towns that decline its terms because of limits on water, sewer, infrastructure, and school resources. The Healey administration has used state power to push mandates on communities that lack the capacity to meet them. Minogue would return decision-making to local communities so they can preserve the character of their towns.
Tax dollars for building. Minogue would return more tax dollars to communities, up to 35 to 40 percent, compared with the 26 percent they retain today. To qualify, cities and towns would eliminate stretch building codes and cut permitting times for single-family homes to 45 days or less, compared with roughly a year and a half today. This would make it easier to build and buy a home in Massachusetts.
The Commonwealth cannot afford four more years of the same. Mike Minogue’s focus is making Massachusetts the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
From the press office of Mike Minogue.