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Committee agrees to withdraw proposed affordable housing trust ordinance after members and stakeholders flag duplication concerns
Summary
After presentations from community development officials and the Community Development Authority, the committee voted to leave a proposed ordinance creating a municipal affordable housing trust off the table (motion to withdraw), citing existing local programs and potential duplication of services.
The committee on Nov. 17 voted to leave to withdraw a proposed ordinance that would have created a municipal affordable housing trust, following questions from council members and presentations from city staff and nonprofit housing partners.
Mike Dion, director of community development, told the committee that available municipal mechanisms — including the Community Development Authority (CDA) and Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds — already support acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction for affordable housing. “We receive about $1,200,000 of home funding per year,” Dion said, and said the CDA has delivered dozens of units in recent years and currently has 120–130 units in development.
Ken Faiola of the Bristol County Economic Development Corporation urged caution about duplication. “To me, it seems like it's not really necessary in Fall River because we already have the logistics in place,” he said, noting that roughly 20% of rental apartments in the city are deed‑restricted and that other nearby communities provide far fewer deed‑restricted units.
Councilors raised questions about ownership, procurement and prevailing‑wage implications if the city were to acquire property directly. Dion and others said the city traditionally works with nonprofit Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) and that city ownership would trigger prevailing‑wage and procurement rules and could limit the flow of federal funds.
Councilor Kadin asked whether ARPA funds could instead be used to support existing programs; staff said ARPA has been used for shelters and encampment responses and that the city can direct ARPA money to community development projects. Several councilors said they wanted a comprehensive housing plan and updated data before creating a separate trust.
Councilor Samson moved leave to withdraw the ordinance; the motion was seconded and the committee conducted a roll‑call vote. Recorded members stating “Yes” included Councilor Cadiz, Councilor Hart, Councilor Sainte and Chair Perot; Councilor Tova recorded “No.” The motion carried and the ordinance will not proceed from committee in its current form.
Speakers emphasized the need for a broader housing strategy and better data rather than a new entity. City officials said CDA and CPC/CPA processes remain primary mechanisms for affordable‑housing programming in Fall River.
Votes at a glance Motion: leave to withdraw proposed ordinance creating an affordable housing trust. Seconded; roll‑call vote recorded. Outcome: motion carried (majority recorded Yes).
