|
|
Tools Defined
|
Resources
|
| Chapter 40R - Smart Growth Planning: The State Legislature adopted Chapter 40R in 2005 as a tool to encourage housing production in Massachusetts in locations already served by infrastructure and services. The legislation encourages communities to adopt a smart growth zoning district near transit stations, in town and city centers, near other existing commercial districts, and existing rural village districts; or in areas that by virtue of their location are highly suitable for residential or mixed use development. Communities that create smart growth zoning districts receive financial incentives upon adoption based on the number of new homes that can be built in the district, and again for each new housing unit actually built.
|
Read the law on line
|
| Community Preservation Act: In 2000, the Massachusetts legislature adopted the Community Preservation Act, which allows communities to create a flexible, local funding source for open space protection, recreation, historic preservation and community housing. The funding comes from 1) a surcharge of up to 3% on local property taxes, and 2) state matching funds of up to 100%, only available to communities that have adopted the CPA. To date, the State has collected over $100 million from fees at the Registry of Deeds to be distributed to CPA communities, and all participating communities have received an annual 100% match of locally-collected CPA funds. The CPA has allowed participating communities to actively pursue land protection, historic preservation, and affordable housing initiatives at a time when many financial resources for these activities have declined.
|
The Community Preservation Coalition information about the CPA, including a list of Essex County communities that have adopted the legislation and a description of Essex County projects funded through the CPA.
|
District Improvement Financing: District Improvement Financing (DIF) allows communities to fund public works, infrastructure and development projects by designating a defined geographic area as a DIF and earmarking all future incremental property tax revenues collected from properties in the district for public improvement projects within the district. DIF districts require state approval through a formal application process.
Return to top of page
|
Massachusetts DIF Program
|
Green Building: Green building is an environmentally-responsible construction method that respects the land’s natural features, blends into the landscape, and results in healthy places to live and work. Green buildings often utilize recycled materials, renewable energy sources, energy efficient construction methods, and low impact development techniques such as green roofs, landscaping with native plants, and reduced impervious surfaces. A leading example of green building in Massachusetts is the Trustees of Reservations Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster.
U.S. Green Building Council administers the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System designed to accelerate the development and implementation of green building practices.
Return to top of page
|
Trustees of Reservations Doyle Conservation Center
Learn more about green building in Massachusetts
NEXUS Green Building Resource Center
U.S. Green Building Council administers the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System
|
Housing partnerships: A housing partnership, also known as Fair Housing Committee and Affordable Housing Committee, is a municipally-appointed committee of individuals who strive to meet local and regional affordable housing needs. Partnerships seek creative and appropriate local solutions to preserve and increase available affordable housing. Members usually include municipal employees, bankers, realtors, housing advocates, clergy, and other community-based entities. Typical partnership activities include: completing local housing needs studies (Salisbury); developing and implementing housing action plans (Ipswich); actively participating in review of Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit proposals (Salisbury); reviewing and making recommendations on housing proposals that are seeking local support or permitting (Andover); identifying land suitable for housing development (Ipswich); staying informed about available local, state and federal resources; reviewing and making recommendations on local zoning and land use regulations to further promote affordable housing (Haverhill); working with local developers of affordable housing (Boxford and Hamilton); promoting development that integrates affordable housing with the principles of smart growth; being a credible community resource on housing issues; increasing public awareness through forums, workshops and other community events (North Andover and Andover)
Return to top of page
|
Information on starting a housing partnership
|
|
|
