Massachusetts recently received a failing grade in a Realtor.com report assessing home affordability and housing production — a blow to a state already grappling with soaring home prices and stagnant inventory. But Framingham officials say the low mark doesn’t reflect what’s happening in their city.

The state ranked 50th out of 51 in Realtor.com’s Affordability and Homebuilding Report Cards, beating out only Washington, D.C. The report cited burdensome zoning laws, lengthy permitting processes, and skyrocketing construction costs as reasons for the dismal rating. According to Realtor.com, Massachusetts’ median home price is now more than $781,000, with a median household income of $96,584.

"Not only are these zoning codes onerous, but they are also highly fragmented, with a distinct zoning jurisdiction for every 20,000 residents on average," the report states. "These artificial restrictions limit the supply of housing in the state and will continue to result in Massachusetts struggling with affordable housing. When cities restrict apartments and starter homes, it’s not just policy — it’s also pushing out teachers, nurses and working families."

While the state as a whole may be lagging, Framingham officials argue the city is making measurable progress, despite facing the same cost pressures as the rest of the region.

Framingham Director of Planning and Community Development Sarkis Sarkisian pointed to high construction expenses and energy efficiency standards as key hurdles developers must overcome to bring new housing online.

"It's very expensive to build anything right now because of the cost of construction," Sarkisian said. "I think the permitting too has improved, but it's not the permitting, it's just the cost to meet all these demands."

From lumber — which has jumped more than 20% in cost over the past year — to energy-efficient requirements like triple-paned windows and advanced insulation, the cost of building a home in Massachusetts continues to climb. Water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, local energy codes, and market financing challenges all contribute to the overall expense.

"Developers pay into that, and they must show there's going to be a profit when the projects cost $40 million to 50 million," Sarkisian said.

Despite those challenges, the city has approved 1,945 housing units since 2013, including several large-scale multifamily projects. Sarkisian noted that some projects, like a 40-unit development on Union Street, have moved swiftly — approved in just six months. But others, including a stalled Howard Street proposal, have taken years.

"Framingham is way ahead of everyone," Sarkisian said. "We've approved so many housing projects, over 500 units of housing we've approved. All of our housing, the big, multifamily housing projects, are at 95% capacity right now."

Michael Tusino, Framingham’s Chief Operating Officer, said the Howard Street development was delayed by design concerns and financing obstacles — both common in today’s market.

"What I'm being told is it's higher interest rates, which affects the cost," Tusino said. "That's just another cost, you can add that into the cost of construction."

Developers aren’t just fighting rising material costs. Regulatory hurdles, changing environmental codes, and labor shortages all add delays and uncertainty to projects already operating on thin margins.

Still, Framingham officials say they’re doing everything they can to keep the city building. They point to improved permitting processes, proactive planning efforts, and a willingness to work with developers to meet energy goals and affordability standards.

Realtor.com’s report emphasized that states in the South and Midwest are faring better due to more streamlined zoning, faster permitting, and more flexible land-use policies. In contrast, Massachusetts' regulatory framework remains among the most complex in the nation — the National Zoning Atlas found the average jurisdiction in the state has 16 zoning districts and 131 pages of code, with Boston alone reaching 1,187 pages.

Despite this, Framingham continues to advance housing, even as it navigates the same regulatory and economic landscape as the rest of the state. City leaders say that while Massachusetts may be struggling overall, communities like Framingham are pushing forward — even if progress comes at a higher price.

Originally reported by Tom Benoit in Metro West Daily News.