Mayor Jon Mitchell announced on Wednesday the “Building New Bedford” plan, aimed at promoting housing affordability and addressing the housing shortage in the region. The plan includes incentivizing developers to build more housing units by fast-tracking permits and changing zoning. The comprehensive plan also aims to address housing at different income levels and support first-time homebuyers. The cost of housing in Greater New Bedford has put a heavy burden on families, and while the causes of the problem are mainly driven by national market forces, the city believes it can take steps to alleviate the issue.