Add Comment

There are many reasons to have better coordination between local and regional housing plans.  A regional assessment can establish a framework for more equitable access to housing by clarifying goals and objectives and quantifying regional needs.  This regional plan should also inform the development of local plans.

1)    Prepare regional housing production plans
While the MetroFuture plan includes detailed goals and objectives for housing production, location, type, and affordability, it is not a regional housing plan.   A Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) would include more detailed analysis, more specific recommendations, and more specific goals and objectives, all within the context of the overall MetroFuture plan.  This RHNA could provide a more specific framework for how regional objectives apply to different Community Types, subregions, or even specific municipalities.  For example, the RHNA might be the venue for recommending how low-density municipalities might make substantial progress toward increasing access to affordable housing in the low-growth scenario recommended by MetroFuture. 

1.a    MAPC should prepare a Regional Housing Needs Assessment for Metro Boston and should update it every five years.

1.b    The Department of Housing and Community Development should establish guidance for the development of Regional Housing Needs Assessments

2)    Prepare municipal Housing Production Plans that reflect MetroFuture growth targets
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

3)    Guide housing efforts through a “Regional Housing Advisory Committee”
Currently, there are a wide variety of practitioners, researchers, advocacy organizations, and agencies working on housing issues in Metro Boston.  No formal entity operates at the regional level to establish goals and make policy recommendations.  

A Regional Housing Advisory Committee could advance regional housing goals and related activities, review progress on achieving housing goals, and address implementation issues.  Successful examples of regional housing task forces and committees can be drawn from throughout the U.S.

3.a    MAPC and allied organizations should develop a proposal for a Regional Housing Advisory Committee