Boston Indicators
@bosindicators.bsky.social
The Boston Foundation’s research center, focusing on ideas to make our city more prosperous, equitable and just.
Greater Boston doesn’t just have rental deserts: it also has areas that are homeownership deserts, where 80 percent of homes are occupied by renters. This is also a challenge, as we explain in our report, “The Problem of Rental Deserts in Greater Boston, by the Numbers.” buff.ly/wkcR7Uy
January 15, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Greater Boston doesn’t just have rental deserts: it also has areas that are homeownership deserts, where 80 percent of homes are occupied by renters. This is also a challenge, as we explain in our report, “The Problem of Rental Deserts in Greater Boston, by the Numbers.” buff.ly/wkcR7Uy
As we explain in our report, "The Problem of Rental Deserts in Greater Boston, by the Numbers," buff.ly/wkcR7Uy, rental deserts tend to be located in richer, whiter neighborhoods.
January 13, 2026 at 3:02 PM
As we explain in our report, "The Problem of Rental Deserts in Greater Boston, by the Numbers," buff.ly/wkcR7Uy, rental deserts tend to be located in richer, whiter neighborhoods.
In our report, "The Problem of Rental Deserts in Greater Boston, by the Numbers," buff.ly/wkcR7Uy we look at some of the policy history that has led to rental deserts, places where fewer than 20 percent of homes are renter-occupied or available for rent.
January 8, 2026 at 5:19 PM
In our report, "The Problem of Rental Deserts in Greater Boston, by the Numbers," buff.ly/wkcR7Uy we look at some of the policy history that has led to rental deserts, places where fewer than 20 percent of homes are renter-occupied or available for rent.
To keep up with all of our latest research and analysis, sign up for the Boston Indicators newsletter. buff.ly/1IzJX2w
January 6, 2026 at 3:10 PM
To keep up with all of our latest research and analysis, sign up for the Boston Indicators newsletter. buff.ly/1IzJX2w
Homelessness continues to be a persistent local challenge, as the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 buff.ly/U5QacFS explains.
IN 2024, homelessness hit record highs, then dropped slightly in 2025, but the number of homeless residents remains high.
IN 2024, homelessness hit record highs, then dropped slightly in 2025, but the number of homeless residents remains high.
December 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Homelessness continues to be a persistent local challenge, as the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 buff.ly/U5QacFS explains.
IN 2024, homelessness hit record highs, then dropped slightly in 2025, but the number of homeless residents remains high.
IN 2024, homelessness hit record highs, then dropped slightly in 2025, but the number of homeless residents remains high.
It’s common knowledge that buying a home in Greater Boston is expensive. What the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 buff.ly/U5QacFS reveals are the high median prices of single-family homes:
December 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
It’s common knowledge that buying a home in Greater Boston is expensive. What the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 buff.ly/U5QacFS reveals are the high median prices of single-family homes:
We've just released our new report, "The Problem of Rental Deserts in Greater Boston, by the Numbers," buff.ly/wMgIhQj which looks at the region's supply of rental housing and finds concerning shortages that limit housing options for area residents.
December 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
We've just released our new report, "The Problem of Rental Deserts in Greater Boston, by the Numbers," buff.ly/wMgIhQj which looks at the region's supply of rental housing and finds concerning shortages that limit housing options for area residents.
In addition to high home prices, Greater Boston residents also face the increasingly high cost of apartment rents, as we explain in the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 buff.ly/U5QacFS.
December 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
In addition to high home prices, Greater Boston residents also face the increasingly high cost of apartment rents, as we explain in the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 buff.ly/U5QacFS.
Part of Greater Boston’s economic success is driven by immigrants, but high housing costs and tough federal laws could take a toll on this source of prosperity and weaken the local housing market, as we explain in the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025, buff.ly/NGenz8e.
December 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Part of Greater Boston’s economic success is driven by immigrants, but high housing costs and tough federal laws could take a toll on this source of prosperity and weaken the local housing market, as we explain in the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025, buff.ly/NGenz8e.
For the next two weeks, we'll be posting about the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 (GBHRC). If you missed the GBHRC release event, you can watch a recording here: buff.ly/NGenz8e.
December 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
For the next two weeks, we'll be posting about the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 (GBHRC). If you missed the GBHRC release event, you can watch a recording here: buff.ly/NGenz8e.
Tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents could lose their Medicaid coverage in 2027 when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will require them to meet new work requirements.
December 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents could lose their Medicaid coverage in 2027 when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will require them to meet new work requirements.
Every year, the Greater Boston Housing Report Card buff.ly/nWR2BCE points out what everyone knows: Greater Boston’s home prices and apartment rents are extremely high.
November 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Every year, the Greater Boston Housing Report Card buff.ly/nWR2BCE points out what everyone knows: Greater Boston’s home prices and apartment rents are extremely high.
Massachusetts will have to act fast to respond to the new work requirements for Medicaid recipients in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Regulatory details aren’t expected from the federal government until June 2026—a few short months before states have to notify residents of the new requirements.
Regulatory details aren’t expected from the federal government until June 2026—a few short months before states have to notify residents of the new requirements.
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Massachusetts will have to act fast to respond to the new work requirements for Medicaid recipients in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Regulatory details aren’t expected from the federal government until June 2026—a few short months before states have to notify residents of the new requirements.
Regulatory details aren’t expected from the federal government until June 2026—a few short months before states have to notify residents of the new requirements.
Because of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, tens of thousands of formerly eligible legal immigrants in Massachusetts will now be barred from state Medicaid programs.
Learn more in our new report, "A Massachusetts Model For Medicaid Work Requirements." buff.ly/dMZvt4h
Learn more in our new report, "A Massachusetts Model For Medicaid Work Requirements." buff.ly/dMZvt4h
November 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Because of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, tens of thousands of formerly eligible legal immigrants in Massachusetts will now be barred from state Medicaid programs.
Learn more in our new report, "A Massachusetts Model For Medicaid Work Requirements." buff.ly/dMZvt4h
Learn more in our new report, "A Massachusetts Model For Medicaid Work Requirements." buff.ly/dMZvt4h
As we explain in our new report, "A Massachusetts Model For Medicaid Work Requirements," buff.ly/dMZvt4h there are four steps that state policymakers should take to protect residents from losing their MassHealth insurance coverage.
November 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
As we explain in our new report, "A Massachusetts Model For Medicaid Work Requirements," buff.ly/dMZvt4h there are four steps that state policymakers should take to protect residents from losing their MassHealth insurance coverage.
In our new report, “A Massachusetts Model for Medicaid Work Requirements,” buff.ly/dMZvt4h we point to the need for fast, effective state action to protect people from losing their Medicaid coverage because of new federal laws.
November 20, 2025 at 2:39 PM
In our new report, “A Massachusetts Model for Medicaid Work Requirements,” buff.ly/dMZvt4h we point to the need for fast, effective state action to protect people from losing their Medicaid coverage because of new federal laws.
Massachusetts will have to comply with the federal law that compels many Medicaid recipients to meet work requirements—and it should learn from the mistakes of other states.
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Massachusetts will have to comply with the federal law that compels many Medicaid recipients to meet work requirements—and it should learn from the mistakes of other states.
We've just released our new report, “A Massachusetts Model for Medicaid Work Requirements,” buff.ly/dMZvt4h which looks at how Massachusetts can comply with new federal laws and protect people from losing their MassHealth insurance coverage.
A Massachusetts Model For Medicaid Work Requirements
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)” requires every state to adopt new eligibility checks and work requirements, assuming these added hurdles will shrink enrollment and cut spending.
www.bostonindicators.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
We've just released our new report, “A Massachusetts Model for Medicaid Work Requirements,” buff.ly/dMZvt4h which looks at how Massachusetts can comply with new federal laws and protect people from losing their MassHealth insurance coverage.
Harsh federal policies could take a toll on the local housing market, as we explain in this year’s Greater Boston Housing Report Card. buff.ly/nWR2BCE
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Harsh federal policies could take a toll on the local housing market, as we explain in this year’s Greater Boston Housing Report Card. buff.ly/nWR2BCE
"At its best, Greater Boston is a welcoming region that draws strength from longtime residents and newcomers alike.
November 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
"At its best, Greater Boston is a welcoming region that draws strength from longtime residents and newcomers alike.
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"There are lots of intractable challenges within government. Building more housing isn't one of them... It should not be as hard as it is.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
November 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
"There are lots of intractable challenges within government. Building more housing isn't one of them... It should not be as hard as it is.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
The Special Topic section of the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 looks at how the state's MBTA Communities law is doing at encouraging more housing density near commuter real stations.
There is a huge amount of variation.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
There is a huge amount of variation.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
November 12, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The Special Topic section of the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025 looks at how the state's MBTA Communities law is doing at encouraging more housing density near commuter real stations.
There is a huge amount of variation.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
There is a huge amount of variation.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
Families' annual salaries would have to grow quickly to keep up with the cost of Greater Boston homes.
To learn more, check out the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
To learn more, check out the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
November 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Families' annual salaries would have to grow quickly to keep up with the cost of Greater Boston homes.
To learn more, check out the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
To learn more, check out the Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2025.
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
"Here's some historic data... going all the way back to the 1960s looking at building permits statewide, and the broad trend here is we've settled into a pattern of building permits that's far lower than what we were at historically."
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
November 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"Here's some historic data... going all the way back to the 1960s looking at building permits statewide, and the broad trend here is we've settled into a pattern of building permits that's far lower than what we were at historically."
buff.ly/NF8hGbY
buff.ly/NF8hGbY