More, higher-quality options
Legalize modern, accessible, multi-family housing near transit corridors so students, recent grads, and families aren’t all fighting over the same crumbling apartments every September 1st.
What do YOU want to see in Allston-Brighton's future?
Right now, the Boston Planning Department is writing the Allston-Brighton Community Plan (ABCP), the city's plan for where new housing goes, how our streets work, and what our cultural spaces look like for the next several decades. The city is aiming to release the plan in early 2027.
Allston-Brighton has a large population of students, renters, young professionals, and recent grads, but these groups are heavily underrepresented in city planning meetings. Check out the three big issues below, keep an eye out for upcoming public meetings, and send a comment in under a minute.
More housing
Stop letting landlords hold all the cards.
Over 75% of Allston-Brighton residents rent, yet outdated zoning makes building new apartments next to impossible. When housing is scarce, tenants end up competing for overpriced, poorly maintained apartments instead of landlords competing for us.
Pit landlords against each other
When vacancy rates are near zero, landlords can hike rents and ignore broken heaters because you have nowhere else to go. Building enough homes flips the market so landlords have to compete on price and maintenance to win tenants.
Fewer banks & national chains
Right now, it’s easy to open a corporate bank or chain restaurant "by right," while apartments and small local storefronts get stuck in years of variances. Rethink what is allowed by right so housing and local shops can actually get built.
Better transit & safer streets
Move people, not just cars.
Allston-Brighton is one of the most transit-dependent neighborhoods in New England, yet our main corridors still treat bus riders, pedestrians, and cyclists as an afterthought.
Faster transit
Dedicated bus lanes and transit signal priority on key routes like the 57, 66, 86, 64, and 70, so buses aren’t trapped behind solo drivers.
Street safety
Physical protection for bike lanes (not just faded paint), raised crosswalks, daylighted corners, and traffic calming throughout the neighborhood.
Walkability
Wider, unobstructed sidewalks, street trees for summer shade, better lighting for late-night walks home, and pedestrian-friendly plazas.
Livelier neighborhood
Space for music, nightlife, and working artists.
Allston-Brighton is full of DIY spaces, live music, small venues, late-night bites, and working artists, but only in spite of restrictive zoning and permitting red tape. The Community Plan can reduce these barriers and maintain Allston-Brighton as a place where artist communities and small businesses thrive.
Live music permitted
Allow cafés, bars, and bookstores to host live music and small performances by right without prohibitive fees or licensing hurdles.
Later operating hours
Not everyone works a 9-to-5. Support late-night dining, late-night coffee shops, and places for students, hospital/service workers, and night owls to hang out.
Outdoor dining
Make rooftop patios, food trucks, and sidewalk dining easy to permit so local restaurants and bars can create great outdoor social spaces.
Space for art and artists
Incentivize affordable rehearsal spaces, maker studios, galleries, and creative storefronts as part of new neighborhood developments.
Send your comment to the Boston Planning Department
Pick what matters to you and send a comment directly to city planners.
1. Your connection to Allston-Brighton
2. Pick your priorities
More housing
Better transit & safer streets
Livelier neighborhood
Mention your bus route, rent increase, or favorite local spot so planners know you're a real person.
4. Review & send
To: Abcommunityplan@boston.gov
Or copy the text above and submit via the official Boston Planning Department ABCP page.