The Townsend Housing Authority studies the housing needs of the Town and
provides programs to make available low income housing for families and elderly
of low income. The Housing Authority facilitates the Town of Townsend’s
goal to reach an equitable number of affordable housing units, by researching
the best use of the town’s developable resources, seeking state and federal
funding where possible, and development of Local Initiative Projects which will
bring affordable rentals and ownership units to Townsend. The Housing Authority
facilitates development of housing which meets the needs of the community and
fits appropriately with Townsend's rural character. It also supports the work of
the Townsend Local Project Committee in bringing new homes to town under Habitat
for Humanity North Central Massachusetts.
The Townsend Housing Authority operates under the Town Charter, Section 3-16,
and 760 CMR 4.00: General Administration of Local Housing Authorities.
Number of Members and
Terms:
Five Members, with terms of five years each, arranged so that one term
expires each year
-Four are elected by voters
-One is appointed as provided by 760 CMR 4.00
For a current listing of Townsend Housing Authority Members, please follow this link for
Elected Officials.
Meetings scheduled as necessary. All meetings are posted and open to
the public.
The Townsend Housing Authority was organized in 1984. After achieving the
construction of Atwood Acres in 1989, the Authority became somewhat
inactive. It was revitalized in 2002. The housing authority currently
operates under 760 CMR 4.00: General Administration of Local Housing
Authorities. 760 CMR 4.00 became effective on October 1, 1998. Its
provisions superseded provisions in 760 CMR 28.00, 32.00, and 33.00 as
previously promulgated, which were rescinded on that date.
One of the purposes of the Townsend Housing Authority is to facilitate
the Town of Townsend’s goal to reach an equitable number of affordable
housing units. Toward this goal, the Townsend Housing Authority is
researching the best use of the town’s developable resources and seeking
state and federal funding where possible.
In February 2004, the Housing Authority conducted a comprehensive
Affordable Housing Analysis for Executive Order 418.
In September 2004, the Housing Authority conducted a
Affordable Housing Survey (questions and results)
In 2005, the Authority applied for HUD 202 financing for a project to
build an additional 36 low income senior housing units adjacent to the
original Atwood Acres. Through the RFP process, RCAP Solutions, who
currently manage Atwood Acres, was chosen to develop the new project with
additional consultation by Studio One and Gagnier and Hicks.
On September 1, 2005, a draft of
Townsend’s Affordable Housing Plan
(1,018 kb pdf, 39 pages) was submitted to the Department of
Housing and Community Development (DHCD) by the Selectmen. The plan was a
joint project of the Housing Authority and Planning Board, with the input of
the Land Use Coordinator and the Zoning Board of Appeals, reviewed and
approved by the Selectmen. DHCD approved the Plan with one minor
change on December 16, 2005. The Plan sets a challenging goal of producing 275 affordable units
over the next 15 years. Approximately 48 of the 351 towns in the
Commonwealth have an Affordable Housing Plan in place at this time.
The Housing Authority had a very busy and productive 2005 as you can
discover in our Annual Report.
Read about how we have redefined and expanded what
our role is in the town. We intend
to be full partners with the ZBA in dealing with all 40B developments.
Currently, the Authority is working on the development of three Local
Initiative Projects which will bring affordable rentals and ownership units
to Townsend. It is also supporting the work of the Townsend Local Project
Committee in bringing new homes to town under
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts.
Although the Authority does not have any land or buildings under its
direct ownership, it may have in the future.
Projects for the near future include:
Completing this website to be usable by the Housing Authority,
residents and developers as a resource for understanding local housing
issues and facilitating development of housing which meets the needs of
the community and fits appropriately with our community character.
Developing, jointly with the Zoning Board of Appeals, standards to be
used in evaluating 40B projects which are brought to Townsend, either
independently or through the Local Initiative process.
Drafting, jointly with the Planning Boards and Zoning Board of
Appeals, enhancements to the Zoning Bylaws which will assist with
achieving affordable housing goals, while maintaining our rural
character.
