"That seemed like a ridiculous amount to pay for a relatively modest house in a non-wealthy community. Yet what felt like a financial leap turned out to be one of the best decisions of his life. Today, he doubts he could buy anything similar. So much has changed. Back then, working families still felt they could stretch and scrape together a nest egg and build a life in Somerville. It doesn't feel doable anymore."
"Somerville, the most densely populated city in New England, packs more than 80,000 residents into four square miles. Its housing stock is defined by early-1900s triple-deckers, multi-family homes, and a growing wave of renovated condos. Amid the region's housing crisis, Somerville has been adding homes faster than most other communities. According to the 2025 Greater Boston Housing Report Card, the city added 2,046 units from 2020 to 2025—a 5.6% increase, outpacing the region's 3.8% growth."
Somerville, New England's most densely populated city with over 80,000 residents in four square miles, faces a severe housing affordability crisis. Mayor Jake Wilson, who purchased his first home there 21 years ago for $425,000, now recognizes that working families can no longer afford to build lives in the community. Despite adding 2,046 housing units from 2020 to 2025—a 5.6% increase outpacing regional growth—housing prices have soared dramatically. Wilson's campaign and mayoral priorities center on addressing this crisis through increased density, new zoning policies, and expanded affordable and social housing investments to preserve the community's character while making homeownership accessible to working families and seniors.
Read at Boston.com
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