Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Whately CPC says CPA funds generally cannot pay for private housing rehab; Housing Committee inactive
Summary
An inquiry about using CPA funds to rehabilitate cabins at 317 State Road prompted the CPC to clarify CPA funds can’t be used for private rehabilitation unless the property is CPA-owned or a registered historic building; committee noted a vacant Housing Committee seat and will seek to fill it.
An email asking whether Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds could be used to rehabilitate cabins at 317 State Road for low-income and market-rate housing prompted the Whately Community Preservation Committee to clarify CPA eligibility rules.
Committee members said CPA funds cannot be used for rehabilitation on privately owned properties unless the property is CPA-owned or is a registered historic building. The guidance was offered during a discussion of an inquiry from the son of the property owner; no formal application for CPA funding of the 317 State Road property was recorded in the minutes.
The committee also flagged that the Housing Committee is currently inactive, leaving the CPC without a designated Housing Committee representative. Committee member Alan Sanderson Jr. said he would speak with the Town Administrator about restoring representation for housing matters.
Alan Sanderson Jr. also shared an email from the Town Administrator that confirmed the CPC has no open federal grants, does not receive regular grant funding, and has no immediate plans to apply for such grants. Committee members noted that any pursuit of federal funding for housing projects could raise concerns about impacts to residents or local businesses.
The minutes do not record any formal vote on the 317 State Road inquiry or any timeline for follow-up actions beyond Alan Sanderson Jr.’s commitment to consult with the Town Administrator.
