Jason Korb presents “What would it take to build 100% affordable housing in Newton?”
In response to the Massachusetts housing crisis, Newton for Everyone is a coalition of various activism groups that promote affordable and diverse housing opportunities in Newton. On the evening of January 13, they hosted a hybrid discussion featuring Newton resident and housing developer Jason Korb speaking about challenges and potential solutions regarding affordable housing development in Newton. Over 200 people attended the event either online or in person.
The program was opened by Newton for Everyone leader Luke Mann-O’Halloran and Congressman Jake Auchincloss, who joined the event remotely from Washington, D.C. Congressman Auchincloss said that housing is one of his top priorities on the Hill, exemplified by last year’s Yes In My Backyard Act and People Over Parking Act.
“In my view, housing and the cost of housing is the number one economic challenge facing Massachusetts,” he said. “All of [my constituents] are feeling the burden of 40, 50, 60% of their share of wallet going to either rent or mortgage payments. It’s suffocating our economy here in the Bay State and depriving people of the opportunity for retirement security and of the ability to allow opportunities to unfold in their lives and to make the most of their career, along with their family.”
Korb is the principal of Capstone Communities LLC, a Cambridge-based developer and manager of mixed income, affordable, and historic apartment communities. During his presentation, What would it take to build 100% affordable housing in Newton?, he highlighted the numerous projects he and Capstone have finished throughout eastern Massachusetts, particularly in cities such as Brockton, Cambridge, and Bridgewater.
“We always say to ourselves, and we say to the public, that we will never build…