Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

Massachusetts has created a state administrative process for appeals where less than ten percent of a community's existing housing is subsidized low and moderate income dwellings. This results in disputes between developers and towns over whether projects can and should be built in certain communities. The Affordable Housing Mediation Program in Massachusetts has been successful in resolving these disputes at the state level. This article proposes the addition of an earlier intervention point for Massachusetts housing . mediation. The author recommends that parties be given a mediation option when disputes are in the local zoning board of appeals, before delays and costs mount. A survey of attorneys representing developers and towns indicates that both sides would be receptive to mediation at the local level and that an earlier intervention point would, on the whole, serve all parties' needs.