As indicated in Strategy #8 (Access to Housing), the region faces a serious shortage of housing – especially housing for households of modest means.  Despite the current slump in the housing market, a lack of adequate supply is a long-term and persistent characteristic of housing in Metro Boston.  Although some communities are resistant to housing production, many increasingly realize that it is better to take pro-active steps to encourage housing growth than to await random applications by developers utilizing the Comprehensive Permit Statute (MGL Ch. 40B).

Unfortunately, many of these forward-looking communities are too small to hire a professional housing staff, and they often lack the services of community-based non-profits that exist in bigger cities.  One way of addressing these challenges is for municipalities to regionalize their housing production efforts.  It is possible for communities to combine their efforts in the pursuit and expenditure of federal housing dollars under the HOME program, or to apply jointly for CDBG funds distributed by DHCD.  Municipalities can form regional housing trusts to create a non-profit housing production capacity, or they can jointly support creation of a community development corporation to serve several municipalities.  MAPC can study and map housing needs in multiple communities and help them to create a housing production and preservation plan.

The state should create additional incentives to encourage such regional approaches.  One step would be to encourage regional applications for a variety of state funding programs.  By awarding extra points or additional funds for regional applications, municipalities will be encouraged to overcome their natural tendency “to go it alone.”  DHCD could also encourage Housing Production Plans submitted and implemented by multiple municipalities – with all communities receiving the reprieve from 40B applications if the overall group meets the department’s housing production goals.

14.a    MAPC should work with municipalities to encourage regional approaches to the production and preservation of housing, especially housing that is affordable to low or moderate-income households.

14.b    DHCD should establish procedures and incentives to encourage municipalities to regionalize their approach to housing production and preservation.

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