Land Release: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Boston released 12 city-owned parcels for residential development on July 9, with applications accepted through the Boston Planning and Development Agency until September 15, 2026.

Housing costs continue to climb across the metro area, where the median sale price reached $780,000 in the second quarter of 2026, according to data from the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. The release targets underused lots to add units in neighborhoods already seeing strong demand from universities and young professionals.

Neighborhood sites and program ties

Two parcels sit along Summer Street in South Boston, near the evolving waterfront district where former industrial sites have turned into mixed-use projects over the past decade. Another three parcels lie off Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, close to Central Square and within walking distance of MIT buildings. The Boston Housing Authority will review proposals that include at least 30 percent affordable units under the city's inclusionary development policy updated in 2024.

Developers must show financial capacity and prior project experience in the region. Priority goes to teams that partner with local community development corporations such as the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation or Cambridge-based Just-A-Start.

Numbers and deadlines

City records show the parcels total 4.8 acres and could support roughly 280 units if built at current density limits. Beacon Hill and Back Bay continue to command premiums above $1,200 per square foot, while Somerville and Cambridge have posted average annual price growth of 6.8 percent since 2023. Applications require a $5,000 deposit and a detailed site plan submitted through the agency's online portal at boston.gov/bpda-land-release.

Staff at the Boston Planning and Development Agency will hold two public information sessions on July 22 at the Boston Public Library on Boylston Street and on July 29 at the Cambridge Community Center on Massachusetts Avenue. Completed proposals will be scored on affordability mix, design quality and timeline for breaking ground.

Interested parties should download the full application packet from the agency website and submit questions by email to landrelease@boston.gov before August 1. Final selections are expected by November 2026, with construction required to begin within 24 months of award.