Land use decisions affect every facet of life in Middlesex County — the length of commutes, the cost of housing, local public finances, health outcomes, and more. While the County has many vibrant and diverse communities, land use planning is an effective way of improving the economic and social well-being of residents, the natural environment, and providing new and existing residents with diverse housing options to meet their needs. Further, revitalizing and retrofitting existing development allows growth to occur in places with existing infrastructure, particularly near train stations and bus routes, while protecting scarce natural and agricultural land.

Land Use, Development, and Housing Strategic Initiatives explore ways to foster development that creates inclusive, prosperous, and desirable communities throughout the County. These Strategic Initiatives look at ways to expand housing options to meet the current and future needs of our residents.

Strategic Initiatives within Land Use, Development, and Housing include:

• Develop a Strategic Investment Framework to guide infrastructure and preservation decisions.
• Encourage growth in areas served by public transit.
• Make development application processes easier and more efficient.
• Enhance the capacity of municipalities to advance sustainable and resilient land use and development.
• Advance local redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization efforts.
• Expand the use of partnerships to support infrastructure investment and ongoing services.
• Increase access to opportunity and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation for lower-income residents.
• Support and expand coordinated and holistic solutions to homelessness.
• Increase the supply of affordable, accessible housing options countywide.
• Implement a countywide safe and healthy housing and neighborhoods initiative.