Acton Planning Board approves 2025 Housing Production Plan focusing on community needs

The Acton Select Board convened on May 19, 2025, to discuss the Housing Production Plan (HPP) and its implications for the community. The meeting began with a public comment from a resident who acknowledged a correction regarding the HPP's definition, clarifying it as a Housing Production Plan rather than a Housing Protection Plan. This resident sought further understanding of the plan's focus, questioning whether it addressed existing subsidized housing and repairs, as well as the percentage allocated to non-subsidized housing.

Christian, a board member, responded by explaining that the HPP is a five-year strategy mandated by the state under Chapter 40B, aimed at helping communities meet their housing goals. He noted that Acton currently exceeds the 10% threshold for deed-restricted units, emphasizing the importance of maintaining this percentage while also addressing the diverse housing needs of the community, including support for aging residents.

Terrigan, another board member, contributed to the discussion by highlighting the need for the plan to focus on protecting existing housing and vulnerable populations. She advocated for a greater allocation of resources towards assisting those currently struggling with housing costs, rather than solely focusing on future developments. Terrigan also suggested increasing the income threshold for the senior tax relief program to better support local seniors.

Alicia, a member of the public, pointed out a significant statistic from the updated HPP: the number of households earning $200,000 or more has doubled in the past decade, raising concerns about the affordability for lower-income residents.

The board then addressed the approval of the amended Housing Production Plan. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the plan, which included the changes discussed during the meeting. The board members expressed their satisfaction with the incorporation of public feedback and the collaborative effort involved in refining the plan.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote in favor of adopting the amended Housing Production Plan, with the Planning Board also expressing their support. The board acknowledged the importance of ongoing public engagement and the need to revisit the plan's effectiveness in the future.