Trust Makes Housing Progress, State Policy Questions Linger

BREWSTER – One year into the affordable housing trust’s five-year plan, there have been a number of positive developments, but there has also been some confusion over how state housing initiatives impact the plan. 

Last year, Governor Maura Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act into law. The legislation provides over $5 billion in funding over the next five years to counter rising housing costs. It also supports nearly 50 policy initiatives to help create more accessible housing in Massachusetts. 

Ned Chatelain, chair of the affordable housing trust (AHT), said some of the initiatives include allowing accessory dwelling units by right, year-round deed restrictions, landlord tax credits and the seasonal community designation. 

The planning board is still working to amend the ADU bylaw for the town. 

The rest of the initiatives could potentially help Brewster continue to develop, promote and provide affordable housing, but there is a lack of clarity regarding the policies. 

“Whether it was through the Affordable Homes Act or through the seasonal communities designation, which we have not accepted yet, I think the trust will be looking to the select board for policy guidance on which of those tools the town will intend to pursue,” said Assistant Town Manager Donna Kalinick.   

Town staff have spent a lot of time sifting through hours of webinars to gather more information on the specific policy guidelines, she said. 

Town Manager Peter Lombardi said there will be a housing advisory council meeting on Sept. 11 which he hopes will shed some light on the final regulations for the seasonal community designation. Town officials are hoping to have enough information to bring an article to fall town meeting. If the regulations are not solidified, they will have to wait until the spring. 

“We expect these to be very helpful tools for us to move our housing program forward,” he said. “But they’re going to be complicated.” 

With all that being said, the AHT has still made progress on local initiatives and affordable housing development. 

Using the Chapter 40B comprehensive permit process, five affordable housing projects have been built or are in process. These range from Habitat for Humanity’s Mackie Drive and Phoebe Way to Spring Rock Village and Serenity Apartments at Brewster. Chatelain said the trust is hoping to use the comprehensive permit process for the proposed housing on the Sea Camps pond parcel. 

The trust is planning to partner and work closely with the land evaluation committee in hopes of identifying potential town-owned land or undeveloped lots for affordable housing opportunities. Aside from town committees, the trust works closely with Habitat for Humanity, Preservation Of Affordable Housing and the Housing Assistance Corporation. 

The trust is also four years into working with a five-year forecasted financial plan. This has helped shape the way the trust goes about its financial process. It has also allowed the trust to be more realistic about taking on long-term projects. 

This year, the AHT will present several Community Preservation Act funding requests in a single application. This streamlined process will help trust members identify all of the funding needed, in addition to packaging the application for the community preservation committee. 

The CPA has become the second largest funding source for the AHT. The trust will also receive 50 percent of the town’s forecasted short-term rental tax revenue. 

Members of the trust are still working out the best way to acquire all the funding needed for a project. Paul Ruchinskas, the CPC representative to the trust, said originally all funding was federally sourced, meaning there was only one entity to apply to. Now some projects have around eight different funding sources, which makes the projects more complicated. 

“[The AHT annual presentation] really demonstrates that we have a commitment to housing that permeates our town culture,” said Amanda Bebrin, select board vice chair. “It starts at the top. We have a town management office and a select board that is supportive of housing, but I think that goes all the way through our town staff and our boards and committees.”