In Metro Boston, municipalities can draw upon the goals and objectives of MetroFuture and a Regional Housing Needs Assessment, to create local Housing Production Plans as described in 760 CMR 56.03(4).  With these local plans in place, communities can implement a balanced housing strategy tailored to include deed-restricted units affordable to low- and moderate-income households that meet both local and regional needs.

As of April 2008, 25 MAPC municipalities had plans “approved” by DHCD,  meaning those plans meet the requirements of the program.  Once they have approved plans, municipalities must demonstrate progress toward implementation (including annually documented housing production) in order for the plans to be “certified” by DHCD.  A “certified” plan allows municipalities to deny Comprehensive Permit applications under Chapter 40B, and for that denial to be upheld by the Housing Appeals Committee.  

The Housing Elements of an Executive Order 418 Community Development Plan can be readily adapted to meet the goals of a Production Plan; 87 MAPC municipalities have such plans, thereby making this recommendation readily achievable for those communities.

For further recommendations regarding Housing Production Plans, see Strategy 1, Recommendation 19.

2.a    Each municipality should develop an approved Housing Production Plan

2.b    MAPC and allied organizations should study recent regulatory revisions to Housing Production Plan requirements and formulae

2.c    The state or MAPC should establish a “Housing Circuit Rider” program

Add Comment