Summary

• New homes permitted 58 In 2025
• Homes counted as affordable 9.75% State goal 10% · September 2025

New homes permitted

Homes approved for construction each year by building permit, counted in housing units: a duplex is two. Some permitted homes are never built, and others take years to finish.

’24’25

So far in 2026, through Aug 2026: 30 homes, partly estimated.

Cities and towns report permits to the Census Bureau monthly or once a year. For months without a report, the Bureau estimates the count; those years are marked "partly estimated". Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (opens in new tab).

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Affordable housing

Massachusetts counts homes that are kept affordable to lower-income households on its Subsidized Housing Inventory. Under Chapter 40B, the goal is for 10% of each community's year-round homes to be on the list.

Below 10%, a developer whose project includes affordable homes can get a single permit to build more densely than local zoning allows. If the city denies it, the state can overturn that decision on appeal.

As of September 30, 2025, 1,959 of Methuen's 20,100 year-round homes were on the list: 9.75%.

Year-round homes are from the 2020 Census. The state updates the list about every two years, with some changes in between. Source: Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Subsidized Housing Inventory (opens in new tab).

Housing stock

Residential property by type

Properties on the assessor's list, fiscal year 2026. These are parcels, not homes: each condominium is its own parcel, while an apartment building is one parcel.

Source: Mass. Division of Local Services, parcel counts (LA-4) (opens in new tab).