Case Study:

Municipal Affordable Housing Study, Affordable Housing Plan and Grant Application

The Goal:
Create a local process for the development and preservation of affordable housing in Georgetown, Massachusetts.

The Solution:
An in-depth Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, a comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan and a Community Development Block Grant Application.

The Process:
Like many small towns, Georgetown has experienced rapid population growth over the past decade that has led to a shortage in housing supply and a substantial increase in housing prices. Faced with numerous Chapter 40B proposals, increasing service costs and a lack of housing alternatives for municipal employees, first-time homebuyers and seniors, Georgetown created an Affordable Housing Task Force and applied to the Commonwealth’s Department of Housing and Community Development for housing planning funds. Funds were awarded and LDS was brought on board.

Phase I of our work involved the preparation of an in-depth affordable housing needs assessment. We interviewed over 15 public service agencies and civic organizations. We examined current and past housing prices and created an affordable housing inventory for Georgetown and its border towns. We worked with Merrimack Valley Planning Services to create visual plans to indicate town-owned land, affordable housing and land yet to be built upon.