Needham CPC approves split funding for two housing projects, after debate over costs and tenant services

The Needham Community Preservation Committee voted March 19 to recommend funding two separate housing projects: $3,200,000 for the Needham Housing Authority's preservation of Seabeds Way and $2,840,223 for the Charles River Center's East Militia Heights development. The votes follow a detailed discussion about shifting budget items, a proposed $325,000 tenant-services increase from the Needham Housing Authority and options that might reduce the Charles River Center's requested CPA ask.

The committee is the town's body that recommends spending from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) fund. Dave Harrow, chair of the Needham Community Preservation Committee, opened discussion on the two housing proposals after consultant Emily Ackenberg reviewed a March 12 memo she had sent the committee about recent changes to the Needham Housing Authority (NHA) proposal. Emily Ackenberg said the NHA's most recent submission showed a higher tenant-services line and a proposed management-fee change from 2% to 3% "below the line," which reduced cash flow and required a smaller mortgage contribution from the housing authority. She told the committee that while the project's total cost had decreased she was not persuaded by the case for the additional $325,000 request given the committee's limited funds.