The Stoop Burhan Azeem and Jesse Kanson-Benanav from Cambridge, Massachusetts
Jun 26, 2025
Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Executive Director of Abundant Housing MA, and Burhan Azeem, the youngest Cambridge City Councillor, share their insights on groundbreaking zoning reforms in Cambridge. They discuss the elimination of single-family zoning and the introduction of six-story buildings to tackle housing shortages. Their advocacy efforts, rooted in over a decade of community organizing, highlight the critical connection between local actions and state support. They also reflect on the impact of Cambridge's ranked-choice voting in advancing progressive housing policies.
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Cambridge's Six-Story Legalization
- Cambridge legalized six-story buildings throughout the city, allowing significant housing growth everywhere.
- Early impact includes a new 60-unit building proposal in Riverside, replacing what used to be four units in 15 years.
Using Urban Imagery to Gain Support
- Using vivid urban imagery connects people emotionally to zoning reforms, easing fears.
- Framing Cambridge's six stories as 'Paris-style' development made change feel hopeful, not scary.
The Birth of Pro-Housing Advocacy
- A Better Cambridge emerged in 2012 to counter anti-housing homeowner power with pro-housing advocacy.
- Strong opposition met early efforts, but it laid the foundation for Cambridge's later housing victories.