Writing a new chapter, Boston stacks homes above libraries

Boston is testing a simple but powerful idea: when space is scarce, stack community needs together. In three neighborhoods, the city is pairing new public libraries with affordable housing, turning limited land into places that offer both shelter and connection. It’s part of a broader return to mixed-use development, where civic buildings anchor walkable communities and public assets work harder for residents. For many Bostonians, it’s a chance to rebuild neighborhoods—and opportunity—on the same footprint.