Southborough committee reviews housing needs, CommunityScale recommends 255-unit five-year production target

CommunityScale consultant Sarah Brent told the Town of Southborough Housing Production Plan Committee that, based on recent trends and census data, Southborough should add about 255 housing units over the next five years, including 28 units counted on the Subsidized Housing Inventory to meet a 10% “safe harbor” threshold. Brent said that produces a working annual production target of about 51 units.

The recommendation informed a broader discussion among committee members about priorities, timelines and potential locations. Committee members agreed to continue biweekly check-ins, confirmed a Tuesday, June 24 committee meeting at 6:30 p.m., and tentatively scheduled a joint meeting with the select board and planning board for Monday, July 14, at Town Hall to consider adopting the plan; CommunityScale indicated it could present at that joint meeting.

“Looking at growth, cost burden and vacancy rates, Southborough should add about 255 units over the next five years,” Sarah Brent said, attributing the figure to trends extended since 2010 and adjustments for vacancy and replacement needs. Brent described…