The Town’s Planning Division is inviting residents to share their perspectives on “housing solutions that contribute toward a healthy, equitable, and prosperous Acton” by taking a Housing Production Plan survey.
What is a Housing Production Plan?
A Housing Production Plan (HPP) is a proactive strategy aimed at planning and developing affordable housing, as outlined in the regulations at 760 CMR 56.03 and overseen by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). By adopting an HPP, municipalities can better achieve their affordable housing and community planning objectives.
HPPs are particularly beneficial for communities under the 10% affordable housing threshold set by Chapter 40B, as they provide more control over comprehensive permit applications if the community is making consistent progress in creating affordable housing. For communities above the 10% threshold, an HPP serves as a framework to maintain compliance with statutory requirements while aligning with local needs and goals.
Acton’s Housing Production Plan Update
Acton’s current Housing Production Plan was adopted in 2020 and is set to expire in May 2025. The Town is collaborating with JMGoldson and Regional Housing Services staff to update the plan. This process involves assessing housing needs and defining community-driven goals and strategies.
Bob Van Meter, a member of the Acton Community Housing Corporation, said, “The Housing Production Plan is an exercise that forces our community to think comprehensively both about housing needs in the community and how we can move toward meeting them. EOHLC also provides an incentive to communities to complete such a plan by offering ‘safe harbor’ from ‘unfriendly’ comprehensive permit applications when a community has completed a plan and has demonstrated progress to meeting its affordable housing goals.”
The survey is completely voluntary, and all responses are anonymous. To participate, click on https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3JZM28B.