Affordable Housing Trust reviews Housing Production Plan and affordability gaps

Affordable Housing Trust · Meeting of July 16, 2026

MANCHESTER BY THE SEA — Affordable Housing Trust reviews Housing Production Plan, identifies affordability gaps. The Trust reviewed an updated draft Housing Production Plan designed to guide the town's affordable housing strategy and raised concerns about serving lower-income households, with Chair Sarah Mellish noting that Chapter 40B developments typically serve households at up to 80% of Area Median Income while the community's greatest need is for lower-income tiers. The Trust proposed a regional coordination model similar to existing housing services offices to provide smaller towns with professional compliance expertise, suggested revising the inclusionary zoning payment-in-lieu formula to keep pace with market prices, and agreed to approach the Conservation Commission regarding a town-owned conservation property with development constraints.

The Trust's total balance stands at 1,765,379.86 dollars, with an additional 100K in Community Preservation Committee funds expected in July.

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• The complete report — 452 words

Source: the Affordable Housing Trust meeting of July 16, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.