Glossary

Term	Description
Infill Developments	Infill Developments are projects in already developed areas that “fill in” vacant lots (e.g. between existing buildings). Infill most commonly happens in downtown areas and is designed to increase density to create a more walkable and more aesthetically uniform streetscape. Infill replicates historic city, town and village development patterns and is an important tool for concentrating development in walkable neighborhoods rather than sprawling into undeveloped areas.
Master Plans and Community Development Plans	Master Plans and Community Development Plans are community- wide, action-oriented plans designed to achieve a shared community vision. A Master Plan establishes future goals in areas such as land use, transportation, housing and economic development.
Universal Design	Universal Design incorporates the needs of everyone, including the older adults and people with disabilities, into a design to allow its use by the greatest number of people regardless of age or ability.
Smart Growth	Smart growth is development that protects natural resources, enhances quality of life, offers housing choices, reduces energy consumption, and improves municipal finances by considering the location, design, and longterm costs of development. Smart Growth is characterized by mixed-use downtowns and neighborhoods, diverse housing options and increased walkability. The Commonwealth includes smart growth in the State’s 10 Sustainable Development Principles.
Accessory Dwelling Apartments	Accessory Dwelling Apartments, sometimes called mother-in-law units, are smaller apartments located on single-family residential properties (e.g. an apartment over a garage or in a converted garage). Accessory Apartments can allow older residents to live near their family members or can offer low-cost housing options that provide supplementary income to homeowners. When located near existing centers (downtowns, village centers, etc.), new accessory apartments provide walkable access to a variety of goods, services and recreational opportunities.
Compact Neighborhood Zoning (CNZ)	Compact Neighborhood Zoning (CNZ) is a new tool similar to 40R that features different residential density and affordability requirements.
Mixed-Use Zoning Districts	Mixed-Use Zoning Districts allow more than one type of use on a single parcel. This typically refers to zoning that allows commercial uses on the first and sometimes second floors of a building, with the remaining floors above the commercial space zoned for residential uses. A mixed-use zoning district is not necessarily the same as a mixed-use district, which is a broader concept describing an area with a mix of complimentary commercial and residential uses where a variety of goods and services are available. Mixed-use districts can be zoned with a single Mixed- use zoning district, or may include a variety of different zoning districts. Mixed-use districts are also good candidates for form-based code.
Social Capital	The opportunities passed along connections within a larger network. One framework for social capital includes three types: bonding, bridging, and linking social capital. Bonding social capital refers to the resources produced through ties within a closed network and is often associated with small networks of equals. Bridging social capital extends the network beyond its traditional boundaries, tying individuals in one social group to individuals in another. The inter-network trust in bridging social capital is not as strong as the intra-network trust in bonding social capital and involves relationships of reciprocity. Linking capital is bridging capital that takes place in an institutional setting and takes place between people across power structures in society.
Social Cohesion	The strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity that individuals have toward their community.
Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND)	Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) is characterized by homes on small lots with small setbacks. These developments, which can consist of both single family and multifamily homes, are modeled after older (traditional) neighborhoods near downtowns and village centers that have narrow streets, make use of on-street parking, and tend to have a more diverse mix of unit sizes and higher residential densities than newer neighborhoods.
Transit Orientated Development (TOD)	Transit Orientated Development (TOD) is a mix of uses clustered within walking distance (usually ¼ mile) of a transit station with a relatively high frequency of service. Successful TOD districts typically feature high quality pedestrian and bicycle networks, reduced parking requirements for automobiles, and public amenities in order to encourage compact multifamily homes and varied businesses.
Affordable Housing	Deed-restricted housing for low-or moderate-income households at a cost that does not exceed 30% of their monthly gross income. The median family income within a given metropolitan area as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. AMI is used to determine household eligibility for most housing assistance programs
Chapter 40B	M.GL. Ch. 40B, § 20-23, is a Massachusetts State law administered locally by the Board of Appeals in order to create affordable housing. In communities below the 10% statutory minimum, it provides eligible developers the ability to supersede local zoning if 20% to 25% of units are Affordable Housing. See Local Initiative Program for” Friendly 40B.”Project Eligibility (PE) determination, sometimes called Site Approval determines whether a project is eligible for 40B. Authority to make a PE determination lies exclusively with the agencies that administer housing subsidy programs: in most cases, MassHousing, MHP, Department of Housing and Community Development, or MassDevelopment (Chapter 40B Handbook for Zoning Boards of Appeal, MHP).
Chapter 40R	M.GL. Ch. 40R, § 1-14, provides for smart growth overlay districts with increased densities for residential development and multifamily housing by right (subject to site plan review). Chapter 40R Smart Growth Overlay District is a zoning district superimposed over existing underlying zoning districts that allows for higher density development. Within a 40R District, a developer has a choice of undertaking a higher density development in accordance with the requirements of the 40R Overlay District, or may undertake a lower density development in accordance with the requirements of the underlying district. Chapter 40R Districts feature increased residential densities, may allow for mixed-uses, and may establish design standards. 40R Districts must be located near transit stations or “areas of concentrated development” such as downtowns, and must meet specific state criteria regarding allowed housing densities and required percentage of affordable housing. Communities that establish a 40R District receive a one-time incentive payment from the state based on the number of additional (“bonus”) residential units permitted by-right (beyond the number of units allowed by the underlying zoning districts), and also receive bonus payments upon the issuance an occupancy permit for each “bonus” unit.
Community Preservation Act (CPA)	M.GL. Ch. 44B, § 1-17, allows communities to establish a Community Preservation Fund for open space, historic preservation, and Affordable Housing by imposing a surcharge of up to 3% on local property tax bills. The State provides a partial match from the Community Preservation TrustFund, generated from Registry of Deeds fees.
Cost Burden	A household is considered cost burdened if more than 30% of monthly income is spent on housing costs.
Fair Housing Act	Established under Title VII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, the federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings,and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children underthe age of 18), sexual orientation, gender
Fair Housing Law	M.G.L. Ch. 151B, the State Fair Housing Act, prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, children, ancestry, marital status, veteran history, public assistance, or physical or mental disability.
Group Home	A type of congregate housing for people with disabilities.
Household	One or more people occupying a single housing unit.
Inclusionary Zoning	A zoning ordinance or bylaw that encourages or requires developers to build Affordable Housing in their developments or provide a comparable public benefit, such as providing Affordable Housing in otherlocations ("offsite units") or paying fees in lieu of units to a Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Missing Middle Housing	A range of smaller multi-unit or clustered housing types compatible in scale with single-family homes. These housing types tend to provide diverse housing options, such as duplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes, along a spectrum of affordability.
Mixed-Income Development	A residential development that includes market-rate and Affordable Housing.
Affordable Housing Trust (AHT)	Under M.G.L. Ch. 44, § 55C, an AHT is an entity created to provide for the creation and preservation of Affordable Housing in municipalities for the benefit of low-and moderate-income households. Any community can establish an AHT following adoption of M.G.L. Ch. 44, § 55C, by simple majority vote of the local legislative body.
Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI)	A list of generally deed-restricted Affordable Housing units
Subsidized Housing	Housing made affordable to low-or moderate-income people through public financial or other assistance
Fit Buildings	Fit Buildings, also called Active Buildings, are buildings that promote physical activity as part of the daily behavior of occupants. For example, fit buildings can include designs that promote use of stairs over elevators.
Green Buildings	Green Buildings are designed, built and operated in a manner that is environmentally responsible and resource efficient. Green buildings address energy efficiency, occupant health, waste reduction, materials production, and other relevant issues.
Deed restrictions	A long-term use restriction to ensure the unit is made available to low- or moderate-income households through an approved affirmative marketing plan. A housing unit that is eligible for inclusion on a municipality’s Subsidized Housing Inventory because its affordability.
Development Cost Subsidies	Development Cost Subsidies that help reduce costs related to purchasing land, managing development processes (e.g., permitting), and construction of housing. Examples of these include grants and free or reduced cost land, building supplies, or labor.
Tax Credit Subsidies	Tax Credit Subsidies creates a source of equity funding to developers through income tax credit or tax benefit programs (e.g. LIHTC, New Market, Tax Credits, Historic Preservation Tax Credits) that can lower overall costs related to development and construction.
Financing Subsidies	Financing Subsidies help increase the maximum supportable level of debt by offering financing with zero or lower interest. Financing subsidies can be an opportunity for local large employers or anchor institutions (health, education) to step in and support affordable housing.
Operating Subsidies	Operating Subsidies reduce operating expenses, such as utilities, thereby increasing net operating.
Rental Assistance Subsidies	Rental Assistance Subsidies increase a project’s gross income, thereby increasing net operating income (e.g. federal rental vouchers, MRVP).
Complete Streets	Roads designed for all modes of transit, including vehicles, public transportation, biking and walking, and people of all abilities.
Transit Authorities	Transit Authorities operate transit services in a particular geographic region. The MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) in Greater Boston operates large rail and bus systems. Aside from the MBTA, fifteen Regional Transit Authorities serve regions from the Berkshires to the islands with public bus and paratransit systems that range in size.