Johanna Lydon
Massachusetts is facing a severe housing crisis. According to Zillow Rentals, the average rent in Massachusetts in May 2025 is $3,100, which is an astounding 68% higher than the national average. This is a stark difference from the median gross rent reported by the U.S. Census Bureau from 2019 to 2023, which was $1,687. In addition, 35.8% of households in Massachusetts have housing cost burdens, meaning their housing costs account for 30% or more of their income. That statistic has shown steady increases since 2019, when it was 33.1% of households. The National Low Income Housing Coalition found that 183,253 residents are being impacted by the shortage of rental homes that are affordable and available for those who are at or below the poverty guidelines. This housing crisis is not only a financial burden but also has serious consequences on the public’s health.
There are serious health consequences associated with housing instability that people probably have not even considered. For instance, respiratory infections, asthma, and lead poisoning have all been associated with housing issues. Massachusetts is one of the leading states in terms of the percentage of adults who have asthma, with 11.3% compared to the national average of only 9.9%. Lack of stable housing has even been proven to lead to lower life expectancies. Housing is a major determinant of health, and our residents are unfortunately suffering due to the state of our housing market. People are living in substandard housing that is compromising their health because of the lack of affordable housing options. There is also a severe mental burden placed on individuals who have housing instability, whether they have to worry about paying for rent on time, stress about moving because the price of their rent increased unexpectedly, or miss social opportunities to work more shifts to pay rent. With almost 30,000 people experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts, this should be deemed a public health emergency.
Boston has a strong history of redlining and is one of the most segregated cities in the country. Redlined neighborhoods often have poorer living conditions because they have fewer green spaces and more asphalt, leading to hotter temperatures and less recreational space. This has had obvious consequences in the current housing crisis, as we see today that almost ⅔ of Black Bostonians are confined in the historically redlined neighborhoods of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan. And with gentrification seeping into these neighborhoods, it is only going to increase the number of Black communities displaced.
The initiatives the state needs to take to address these issues include committing to expanding affordable housing, investing in the homelessness crisis, and creating equitable access to housing so those in marginalized communities have better housing opportunities. An example of this is the policy plan A Home for Everyone: Massachusetts’ Statewide Housing Plan, which attempts to address the crisis by using socioeconomic and census data to determine where housing deficits are concentrated and why. This plan has yet to receive funding, so we must take it upon ourselves as citizens to make sure the government is being held accountable for these problems. To do this, you can contact your local representatives and vote for legislation regarding housing issues. This issue goes deeper than money, it is directly impacting the quality of life of the citizens of Massachusetts. Change will not happen overnight, but instead requires us to speak up against these systemic injustices and push for extensive change in our communities. Housing is a fundamental right, and we are currently depriving our neighbors of their rights.
Johanna Lydon is a rising senior at Providence College. She addresses the impact of the Massachusetts housing crisis on public health.
