Way Finders Leads Critical Housing Research for Policy Change
2025 regional housing study: Building Homes. Building Futures.
Western Massachusetts faces a housing crisis with its own unique challenges — and solutions must be rooted in local realities. That’s why Way Finders partnered again with the UMass Donahue Institute and the Western Mass Housing Coalition to take a closer look at housing conditions — and the people behind the data — across all four counties in our region.
“Building Homes. Building Futures.,” our 2025 report, updates and expands on our 2021 housing study, offering fresh insight into affordability, supply, and who is being left behind. With detailed findings for policymakers, housing advocates, and local leaders, the study lays the groundwork for smarter investments and stronger policies that reflect the realities of our communities.
Our October 1 Building Homes. Building Futures. release event was a huge success
Over 75 people attended, along with 6 local media outlets. You can listen to the entire event – including the data presentation by Kerry Spitzer of the UMass Donahue Institute and the panel discussion with housing experts from all four western Mass counties – right here.
Media coverage for Building Homes. Building Futures.
Earlier housing studies
Transportation Survey
In the summer of 2024, Way Finders partnered with MassINC Polling Group (MPG) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to study the impact of transportation on low-income households in the region. Over 1,600 Way Finders clients participated in the survey along with more than 600 additional residents of Hampden and Hampshire counties.