Newton Planning and Development

08/17/2026

BACKYARD BLUEPRINTS: CALLING ALL DESIGNERS!
Have an idea for a great detached ADU design? We want to see it!

📣SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 9!

Who can apply? Architects, builders, manufacturers, designers, students, and other design professionals as individuals or teams are all encouraged to apply. No experience requirements!

What do you need to submit?
• A brief design narrative
• Signed contract
• Floor plans
• Elevations
• Building sections
• Renderings (optional but encouraged)
• Simplified public-facing floor plans (optional but encouraged)

All submissions must include plans stamped by a Massachusetts Registered Professional Engineer or Registered Architect.

The top designs with the most votes by public voting will win cash prizes!

🥇 1st Place — $5,000
🥈 2nd Place — $4,000
🥉 3rd Place — $3,000

Here’s the exciting part: all designs that meet applicable codes and ordinances will be made available for homeowners to purchase for a fixed $1,000 fee paid to the design owner, helping turn great ideas into real ADUs in Newton .

Learn more: Visit newtonma.gov/adu for all eligibility requirements, design criteria, the application, contract, FAQs, and more.

06/25/2026

Affordable Rental Opportunity!

Newton Crossing Development ins a 292-unit apartment rental community located in West Newton. Conveniently located near restaurants, shops, the Walker Dog park, MBTA commuter rail and bus stops, and access to the Mass Pike (I-90). Access to parking and the fitness center are included with units in this property. The pet policy is subject to restrictions. There are five (5) studio, forty one (41) 1-bed, twenty (20) 2-bed, and seven (7) 3-bed affordable units available at 50% and 80% AMI (Area Median Income). In addition, there are 8 accessible units available.

You can apply to the lottery for this property until Tuesday, August 11th at 2:00 p.m. Click the link in our bio to visit the affordable housing opportunity webpage which has details on the application. There will also be a public information session held on Zoom on July 15th at 6:00 p.m.

06/24/2026

The City of Newton is excited to share that it is a grant recipient for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge. Grant money to do meaningful, productive work to advance the goals of the City, who wouldn’t be excited! This community grant seeks to assist municipalities, just like ours in Newton, to undertake projects that make communities more livable for people of all ages by supporting tangible, quick-action improvements that jump-start long-term change.

So what kind of project is Newton undertaking with this grant? The City is launching a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Competition🏠. ADUs, often called in-law suites, garden apartments, or carriage houses, are smaller independent homes located on the same property as a primary home. They are increasingly seen as a housing tool that can support aging in place, multigenerational living, caregiver housing, and more attainable rental options.

The competition will showcase creative designs, increase public awareness of ADUs, and help identify ways to make them easier and more affordable to build in Newton.

Stay tuned for more!

05/13/2026

Newton’s Planning & Development department is looking to better understand people’s experiences with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the City. Whether you build/design them, own one, are interested, tried to build/own one, or never heard of them before, the City wants to hear it all.

Click the link to take the survey: https://forms.gle/o1cSNgdPpFqsnafo7

04/15/2026

What better way to celebrate Fair Housing Month than to educate and learn about it! Be sure to check out these informative resources.

The Color of Law: Book by Richard Rothstein that challenges the common belief that segregation in U.S. cities happened by chance or individual bias. Instead, it reveals how decades of government policies at the local, state, and federal levels actively created and enforced racial segregation.

Roxbury (documentary): Produced by Suffolk University, this documentary explores the impacts of decades of discriminatory housing policies on the Roxbury neighborhood in Boston. Through personal stories, it highlights how residents have navigated these challenges while working toward a more equitable future. Watch the film by visiting suffolk.edu/roxburyfilm.

The Red Line: Racial Disparities in Lending: A podcast episode from Reveal in which reporters analyzed 31 million government mortgage records and determined that people of color were more likely than white applicants to be denied a conventional home loan in 61 metro areas, including Atlanta, Detroit and Washington.

Analysis of Impediments: Since Newton and the WestMetro HOME Consortium receive federal funds, they are required to actively further fair housing by identifying and addressing barriers to housing access. A key tool in this effort is the Analysis of Impediments, which helps communities pinpoint inequities and take steps toward more inclusive housing opportunities. Read the analysis on our website by clicking the link in our bio.

04/14/2026

Did you know some of the answers to these questions?

Today, to celebrate Fair Housing Month, we’ve provided a Q+A with some common questions about fair housing. Swipe through to read more and don’t forget to visit: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/planning/housing-community-development-copy for resources and information.

04/13/2026

Happy Fair Housing Month Newtonians! April is Fair Housing Month which is celebrated every year to commemorate the passing of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The legislation prohibits discrimination for anyone trying to rent, buy or finance a house. More than ever, it's important to celebrate it's accomplishments, and keep learning how to comply with best Fair Housing practices. Stay tuned tomorrow and Wednesday for more Fair Housing month content.

04/13/2026

Come to the MBTA mobility session tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the Cooper Center!

Join us at the Cooper Center on Tuesday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m. for Part 2 of “MBTA Accessibility & CharlieCard Help.” During this session, facilitator Ethan Finlan will focus on safety and how to request support with accessibility, safety, or navigational needs. You can also receive assistance with signing up for a Senior CharlieCard application!

RSVP requested at 617-796-1660 or emailing [email protected]

04/06/2026

Current Condominium Ownership Opportunity in Newton Highlands. There are five (5), studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom condominiums available by lottery for eligible first-time homebuyers at 80% and 110% AMI (Area Median Income). Each income restricted unit will be assigned one garage parking spot at no cost. There is also transit access with a bus route located on Walnut St and the Newton Highlands MBTA stop across the street. Additionally, all units will be handicapped visitable and pets are allowed, per policy. Water and sewer are included in the monthly condo fee as well. The application deadline to apply is Friday, April 17th, and the electronic lottery will take place on the following Thursday, April 30th at 3:00 p.m. For more information, including the application, visit: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/planning/housing-community-development/housing/current-affordable-housing-opportunities

04/03/2026

Have you ever felt intimidated, overwhelmed, or confused trying to take the T around? Fear not, staff from the MBTA Mobility Center will visit the Cooper Center (345 Walnut St) on Tuesday, April 7th and Tuesday, April 14th both at 10:30 a.m. Sessions are designed with older adults in mind, though all are welcome.

The April 7th session will focus on accessibility and navigating the T while the April 14th session will focus on safety and asking for help. Staff will also provide assistance with CharlieCard applications on both dates.

Topics covered will include:
• How to sign up for reduced fares
• How to board accessibly and find priority seats
• Navigating the system
• How to use the MBTA Trip Planner
• How to ask for help while traveling
• How to sign up for free 1-on-1 Travel Training
• Recent progress in accessibility

This program is free, but registration is required. You can register either in person at the Cooper Center for Active Living (345 Walnut St), emailing [email protected], or by calling 617-796-1675.