Three warrant articles boost affordable housing
The Acton Housing Foundation urges you to support Articles 26, 34 and 37 at Town Meeting.
There is no warrant article labeled “affordable housing” on the Town Meeting agenda this year, but there are three articles that can encourage affordable housing in Acton.
The first priority is to raise funds to develop and manage affordable housing units. The Community Preservation Appropriation Recommendations (Article 26) include $785,500 for the Acton Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (CMAHT). The new CPA money would enable CMAHT to catalyze small new affordable housing projects that can leverage other funds. There’s also $39,000 designated for the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO), which manages existing affordable units and provides staff support for housing agencies in the area.
Next, we need zoning that encourages “smart growth.” For a town like Acton that’s extensively developed, mixed use is a great way to bolster our walkable village centers with nearby residents (and shoppers). Article 34 makes it easier to build these projects, while retaining the character we want in our town centers. Even though it slightly eases affordable housing requirements, Article 34 could deliver more affordable units in the end, because developers have not been able to make the finances work under the current regulations. These changes would still provide some affordable units or a contribution to the Housing Trust.
Finally, Article 37 supports mixed use or residential development by increasing to 35 feet the height limit in the limited business district around the former Papa Razzi and Best Western. This is the same limit that now prevails in other districts where mixed use or residential can occur. This would not encourage large high-rises — it simply would make a three-story building possible.
The Acton Housing Foundation urges you to support Articles 26, 34 and 37 at Town Meeting.
Frank Feeley
Lexington Road
President, Acton Housing Foundation
