Wu Backs Question 7 Starter Homes Measure Alongside Real Estate Groups

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is backing the statewide Question 7 starter homes ballot measure, putting her on the same side as several real estate groups she has opposed on other housing policies, the Boston Globe reported on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. Voters decide Question 7 on Tuesday, Nov. 3, although the measure would not change zoning in Boston itself.

Key figures: 5,000 sq. ft. minimum lot · 50 ft. of frontage · $875,000 from three real estate groups (TBR total) · 9 statewide ballot questions · Election Day Nov. 3

What Question 7 Would Do

Question 7 would bar cities and towns from requiring more than 5,000 square feet of land for a single-family home on a lot with at least 50 feet of street frontage that is served by public water and sewer, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s voter information page. The change would amend the state Zoning Act, Chapter 40A. Boston has its own zoning enabling law, which is why the measure would not apply in the city, the Globe noted.

The state’s fiscal statement on the question says it would have no discernible material fiscal consequences for state or municipal government, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. A legislative committee majority recommended no action on the petition on May 4, 2026, leaving it to voters.

Why Wu Endorsed It

Wu announced her support in mid-October; a release titled “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu endorses Yes on Question 7” was dated Oct. 16, 2026, on State Affairs. In her statement, Wu said, “Boston is fighting for more housing and more affordability, but the need doesn’t stop at our City limits,” and that “Cities and towns across the Commonwealth need every possible tool to expand housing options,” the Globe reported.

The Globe noted that Wu and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board have been on opposite sides of debates over rent control, a real estate transfer fee and Boston’s inclusionary development policy, which The Boston Report covered in our story on Boston’s development climate.

Who Supports Question 7

The Yes argument in the state’s voter guide was written by Wesley Lima of the Legalize Starter Homes campaign. Andrew Mikula of the Pioneer Institute, who wrote the measure, told the Globe, “Our coalition reflects that housing affordability is both an economic issue and a social justice issue.” He also said, “I have a ton of respect for the mayor.”

Several real estate groups have funded the campaign. The Globe reported contributions from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, including its political action committee, the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts. Greg Vasil, the real estate board’s chief executive, and David O’Sullivan of the home builders group, who pointed to land costs, both spoke in favor of the question, according to the Globe.

Who Opposes It

There is no formal opposition campaign, the Globe reported. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, which represents local governments, opposes the question. The MMA’s Adam Chapdelaine wrote the No argument in the voter guide, and the association said in a position paper that real estate interests have raised nearly $2 million for the Yes side.

The MMA’s Dave Koffman said the measure has “no affordability provisions whatsoever,” adding, “A smaller lot does not automatically mean a more affordable home,” according to an MMA report. The association’s Ali DiMatteo argued that lot sizes should stay a local zoning decision and raised concerns about water and sewer capacity in some communities, the MMA reported. WBUR has laid out arguments from both sides.

By the Numbers

The calculations below are by The Boston Report.

• Contributions: the three donations reported by the Globe add up to $875,000, roughly 44% of the nearly $2 million the MMA says real estate interests have raised.
• Lot size: a 5,000-square-foot lot is about 11% of an acre (43,560 square feet), or roughly one-ninth of an acre. A town with a one-acre minimum requires almost nine times that much land.
• Boston turnout base: Boston has 443,178 registered voters across 275 precincts for the Nov. 3 election, according to the City of Boston.

How to Vote in Boston

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Boston voters will see nine statewide questions, according to the city. Early voting ends Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m.; see our guide to Boston’s early voting and Election Day and our Massachusetts Election Night 2026 hub for results.

Sources

• Boston Globe, The Scrum: Michelle Wu, real estate groups agree on a lot (size) (Oct. 29, 2026)
• Secretary of the Commonwealth: 2026 Ballot Question 7
• Massachusetts Municipal Association: 3 ballot questions raise concerns for local leaders
• MMA: Vote No on Question 7 (PDF)
• WBUR: Question 7 and smaller lots for starter homes (Oct. 7, 2026)
• State Affairs: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu endorses Yes on Question 7 (Oct. 16, 2026)
• City of Boston: 2026 state election ballot questions