Concord housing develops 237 new affordable units amid permit uncertainties

During a recent meeting of the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust in Concord, Massachusetts, officials provided an update on the town's affordable housing status, highlighting both current achievements and future challenges. As of now, Concord boasts 919 units classified under the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI), representing 12.8% of the town's housing stock, which exceeds the state-mandated minimum of 10%.

Key developments include two units from Old Marlboro Road that are currently undergoing renovations and have received building permits. These additions will contribute positively to the SHI. However, the future of 201 units from the Novo 40B project remains uncertain, as the developer has not yet pulled a building permit, which is required for the units to remain eligible for inclusion in the SHI. If these units fall off the inventory, the town's percentage could drop to just above 10%.

A potential boost to the SHI could come from the Thoreau 40B project, which, if approved, could add 237 new units. The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is set to continue discussions on this project on April 3. However, the developer has expressed concerns about economic uncertainties and financing, indicating that they may not be ready to proceed by the April 15 deadline.

The discussions underscored the importance of timely decisions regarding these housing projects, as the town aims to maintain its affordable housing status. The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust is actively working to ensure that new units are added to the SHI as soon as possible, particularly in light of the impending loss of the Novo units.

As Concord navigates these developments, the community remains focused on addressing the ongoing demand for affordable housing, which is critical for maintaining the town's demographic diversity and economic stability. The outcome of the upcoming ZBA hearing and the progress of the Thoreau project will be pivotal in shaping the town's housing landscape in the near future.