Councilor files hearing order to legalize triple‑deckers and other small multifamily homes

Councilor Santana filed a hearing order Wednesday asking the council to examine legalizing triple‑deckers and other 2‑ to 4‑unit housing across Boston. Santana said the city has more than 15,000 triple‑deckers that have historically provided multigenerational and immigrant households with affordable housing, but current zoning “largely make[s] the construction of these homes illegal.” He and cosponsors argued that zoning restrictions adopted decades ago exclude 58% of parcels citywide from conversion and that updating code could expand affordable homeownership options. Several councilors, including Councilors Durkin, Pepin and Braden, described triple‑deckers as a traditional, durable housing type and supported a hearing to study zoning changes, construction feasibility and protections for existing neighborhoods. Councilor Flynn asked whether basement apartments and other specifics would be part of the discussion; Santana replied that such details could be covered during the hearing process. The president determined the item should be referred to the committee on planning, development and transportation because it is fundamentally a zoning matter. The docket (1632) was assigned to that committee for study.