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Lawmakers review housing-target language; regional planners warn small towns lack data and capacity
Summary
A legislative committee reviewed proposed housing-target language (drawn from H602 and proposed for H775) that would require municipalities to analyze whether they can meet regional housing targets. Commissioner Alex Farrell emphasized use of state/regional data; Northwest RPC director Catherine Demetra warned small towns lack staff and historical data to meet highly prescriptive requirements.
Commissioner Alex Farrell of the Department of Housing and Community Development told the General & Housing committee on Feb. 18 that proposed housing-target language drawn from section 11 of H602 and being considered for H775 would require municipalities to "identify and analyze the existing and projected housing needs" and that municipalities may rely on department or regional analyses rather than prepare new local studies.
Farrell said the department will publish a housing needs assessment and housing targets for regions so towns "don't have to go and do your own new housing needs assessment," adding that "the department's gonna publish a housing needs assessment and housing targets, and your region has disaggregated those for you." The draft language would ask municipalities to inventory housing types, location and condition; identify constraints such as zoning, infrastructure and market incentives; and outline actions the jurisdiction could take, including zoning updates or infrastructure improvements.
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