Strengthening local boards and commissions to support affordable housing

Date & Time: Wednesdays, March 11, 18 & 25 at noon.

Cost: Free

What are the roles and responsibilities of boards and commissions that impact housing development? What is the municipal role in supporting affordable housing versus the developer or the state? Why is public engagement critical to supporting affordable housing development and preservation?

Explore these questions in MHP’s three-module training, partly funded by the Eastern Bank Foundation. Building on last year’s inauguration of this series, practitioners using new development examples from across the state will help participants gain a deeper understanding of the local ecosystem that supports or hinders the development and preservation of affordable housing. This learning can facilitate more effective board/commission work and collaboration, as well as thoughtful engagement by interested residents and organizations. We hope you will join us in March.

This training series was created for key local boards that touch the housing development process (e.g., planning, ZBA, select, housing trusts, AHC/AHPs, CPCs), people engaged in supporting affordable housing, and people interested in becoming engaged in supporting affordable housing.

March 11 – Module 1: Understanding the local ecosystem

Learn the statutory roles and responsibilities of local boards and commissions that impact housing development, and how communities can address common bottlenecks in the local approval process.

March 18 – Module 2: Municipal role in affordable housing development

Gain clarity on what the municipal responsibilities are in supporting affordable housing development and preservation versus the developer or state.

March 25 – Module 3: Why building local support is critical for board/commission success

Learn strategies around the state for organizing local support for affordable housing to strengthen the capacity of boards/commissions and get more affordable homes built.

Questions? Contact MHP's Shelly Goehring or Reneiry Santiago.