Home / Archive / VOL. IV NO. 27 12/01/2023 / Affordable Housing Trust Crafts Plan to Meet Housing Needs

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VOL. IV NO. 27 12/01/2023

Affordable Housing Trust Crafts Plan to Meet Housing Needs

By Mark Mills and Jan Ackerman

What are Stockbridge’s housing needs? What are the best ways to meet those housing needs? Where could additional needed housing be developed? How can we create new housing without altering the character of the town? These are some of the questions being addressed by the Stockbridge Affordable Housing Trust (AHT). 

The Trust was established by a vote of the 2021 Town Meeting. The AHT is focused on preserving existing affordable housing and increasing housing opportunities for low-income residents, working families and seniors looking to downsize from large homes into more manageable properties. A key step toward these goals is to develop a Housing Production Plan (HPP) which will be submitted to the town and the state of Massachusetts. Creating a HPP provides an excellent roadmap for developing new housing. 

After conducting a housing survey of town residents and a community workshop on housing over this past summer, the Trust is now writing the HPP with guidance from Community Housing Specialist Karen Sunnarborg. Here are some of the proposals that may be included in the Production plan:

  • Secure grants for income qualified homeowners to make critical repairs such as roofing, boilers, siding and windows 
  • Identify one or two properties to develop housing for purchase or rent aimed at low and/or middle income residents.
  • Explore the possibilities for Accessory Dwelling Units and Tiny Homes
  • Support maintenance needs at Pine Woods and Heaton Court
  • Study possible expansion of Heaton Court

Many challenges lie ahead including locating appropriate sites for housing, working with developers, builders and non-profits on housing projects, installing infrastructure such as water and sewer, raising the required financing, working with other town boards and committees to get the necessary approvals and seeking more community input on creating affordable housing. 

The AHT continues discussing the HPP at our meetings which are listed on the calendar of the town web site. The meetings are open to the public and available by Zoom. All those who attend have an opportunity to comment on whatever issues we are discussing. We welcome your ideas. 

Editor’s note: Mills and Ackerman are members of the Stockbridge Affordable Housing Trust Committee

Photo: Lionel Delevingne

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