Committee recommends $283,000 to CPC for affordable housing programs; trust issues RFP for Route 28 sites

On June 8 the Yarmouth Community Housing Committee voted to recommend that the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) consider a $283,000 request submitted by the Affordable Housing Trust to support affordable housing programs, and committee members reported the trust also issued a new RFP offering acquisition awards of up to $500,000 per site for Route 28 redevelopment.

Staff summarized the CPC recommendation packet and the draft budget (page seven of the packet), explaining the $283,000 figure includes the trust's annual deposit plus allocations that are coordinated with U.S. HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies to fund rental assistance and rehabilitation programs. A motion to recommend the CPC approve and forward the budget to town meeting was made and passed with recorded members voting in favor while some members abstained due to concurrent CPC membership.

Committee members also announced the Affordable Housing Trust released an RFP the same day for underused, underutilized or blighted properties on Route 28. The RFP allows up to two awards of up to $500,000 each for acquisition and redevelopment; proposals are due July 15. Staff said respondents should be prepared to show conceptual plans and some form of purchase interest (purchase-and-sale agreement or exclusive option) during the trust review.

Vote: committee roll call on the CPC recommendation recorded votes in favor from members who were not simultaneously serving on the CPC; several members abstained to avoid conflicts of interest. The committee will forward its recommendation and supporting materials to the CPC and town meeting for final allocation decisions.

Next steps: applicants may submit RFP responses by July 15; the trust will review proposals and may award one or two acquisition grants for Route 28 sites. The committee emphasized the need for conceptual plans and owner interest documentation during review.