To keep Boston booming, businesses must do more to lift people up

The Boston Foundation’s Paul Grogan worries that 40 years of improvements in quality of life in Boston are threatened by “vexing’’ problems, including economic inequality, lack of affordable housing, and needed investment in transit (“The Boston Renaissance was hard won— let’s not kill it,’’ Opinion, March 22). He observes “solutions to these challenges taking root across the city.’’ The solutions he describes — educational enrichment programs, incentives for affordable housing construction, accountability in public transportation — all rely on investment and initiative from the people of the city and their elected government entities. But where is the responsibility of the business community? While Grogan says they are “stepping up, showing a willingness to co-invest,’’ he gives no concrete examples of what the corporate sector can do to save the Boston Renaissance.

Two concrete investment opportunities would demonstrate the commitment of Boston’s business community to the quality of life for all citizens. The Fight for $15, a push to raise the minimum wage in Massachusetts, is ultimately a business decision. How many firms have signed on? And business support for the so-called millionaires tax would directly address income inequality while increasing public revenue for the types of programs Grogan spotlights.

Boston’s business community has greatly benefited from our renaissance and should commit to contributing its fair share of the costs.

Susan Moir

Jamaica Plain

State needs to provide range of tools to boost affordable housing

Inequality, housing, and transportation are three of metropolitan Boston’s biggest challenges. I’d suggest climate change is a worthy fourth. Paul Grogan (“The Boston Renaissance was hard won— let’s not kill it’’) is right to call for greater resolve and increased urgency to identify solutions and put in the hard work to keep our future bright and prosperous.

Notably, the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition is working to identify housing production goals and strategies for market-rate and affordable homes in Boston and 14 neighboring cities and towns. Governor Baker has proposed legislation that would make it easier for communities to adopt zoning to allow more homes to be built in sensible locations. Good first step, but much more is needed, and needed fast.

Every community in metro Boston needs to build housing that is affordable to a range of incomes. Broader action is needed from the Legislature, too. Lawmakers should use this moment to provide municipalities with stronger tools to plan for and manage growth. They should set clear expectations for building multifamily housing and allow homeowners to rent out small apartments in larger homes. It’s also time, once and for all, to ban exclusionary zoning and permitting practices, which discriminate against families with children and low-income households. Legislative proposals to accomplish these goals are included in several bills before the House Ways and Means Committee.

Success is within reach. Let’s get to work.

Eric Hove

Director of strategic initiatives

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Boston