Mass. Stock Of Affordable Housing Drops

Construction of affordable housing units has stalled across Massachusetts in the past five years at a time when the recession has created more demand.

The Boston Globe reports Monday that despite a state law that requires communities to keep 10 percent of housing priced below market rates, Massachusetts' affordable housing stock fell to 9.1 percent this year. That is down from 9.3 percent in 2006.

Housing advocates say the growing number of people who cannot afford to live in an expensive region have led to shortages. In some communities more than 100 people enter lotteries for a single subsidized apartment.

While the real estate crisis and recession caused housing prices to fall in many communities, the same economic turmoil left many families priced out, unable to afford high home prices.