Candidates in Chelsea's municipal races discussed multiple approaches to expand affordable housing and prevent displacement, including zoning changes, leveraging the Community Preservation Act fund and state-level policy tools.

Why it matters: Chelsea residents described rising housing costs and high renter shares; multiple candidates said zoning and dedicated local resources are needed to preserve affordability as development increases.

At-large and district candidates generally endorsed measures to increase affordable housing supply. One candidate said the city should prioritize improving existing affordable housing before adding new units and highlighted the Community Preservation Act fund as an underused local resource for renovation and preservation. Another candidate said they had drafted an ordinance to allocate units at fixed affordability tiers (30%, 50%, 60% AMI) on a rotating basis so different income brackets can access new units.

The MBTA Communities act and state incentives were discussed as tools to increase supply. Several candidates said they would support zoning reforms and an affordable housing overlay district that could lower parking minimums to reduce development costs.

Candidates also debated rent-control policies and tenant protections. One candidate expressed support for rent control at the state level, citing displacement pressures; others focused on local zoning, first-time homebuyer programs and partnerships with nonprofit developers to expand homeownership opportunities.

No binding zoning changes or ordinances were approved at the forum. Candidates encouraged residents to attend planning and zoning hearings and to engage with city officials on overlay districts, parking minimums and affordability requirements.