More than 75% of designated MBTA communities are now in compliance with the MBTA Communities Act after voters in the town of Saugus, MA voted to comply Monday night. According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts web site the MBTA Communities Act "Creates zoning that encourages new missing middle housing in areas served by public transit. Housing enabled by the MBTA communities law provides opportunities for people to live, work and thrive in walkable neighborhoods closer to transit." One hundred and thirty-four cities and towns with or near an MBTA station have approved multifamily zoning to be in compliance.

At an groundbreaking in Worcester Tuesday, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Edward Augustus said zoning changes are expected to address the state's housing shortage and help lower costs across Massachusetts. He added the state's willing to work with communities to help them meet compliance requirements. Augustus said, "We want to work with them. If the original plan they propose was not successful we're willing to work with them on coming up with another plan that could be successful but compliance is essential because this housing crisis is not going away unless every community is part of the solution and do we really need every community to make sure they're complying with this important law."

More than thirty communities designated as small towns have until December 31st to submit new zoning to the state.