Jeff Sternal: Northampton needs more homes to thrive

Northampton is a beautiful, thriving city, so it’s no surprise that many people want to live here. But that popularity comes with a cost: housing prices have soared. Young people, new families, and longtime residents alike find it increasingly hard to find a place they can afford. We can’t preserve Northampton’s vitality by freezing it in time. Welcoming new neighbors, including at the proposed apartment building on Phillips Place, is essential if we want a living city, not just a historic artifact.

Just a few weeks ago, I asked a builder why there isn’t more housing being built here. The answer was simple: developers can make more money elsewhere. Restrictive zoning, long permitting fights, and demands to shrink proposals all make it financially impossible. If we want homes people can actually afford, we need to allow enough homes to be built.

My wife and I live next to a four-story apartment building, and contrary to common fears, it has been a wonderful part of our neighborhood. It’s safer, with more eyes on the street, and contributes to a real community spirit. Having more residents strengthens our local businesses, keeps our sidewalks lively, and makes city events more exciting and inclusive.

I want Northampton to be a place young people can afford to live, start families, and put down roots. Growth is not something to fear, it’s a way to keep our city vibrant, connected, and welcoming for generations to come.

Jeff Sternal

Northampton