Natick COA housing subcommittee to finalize senior housing report, prioritizes keeping seniors in their homes

The Town of Natick Council on Aging Housing Subcommittee agreed on May 21 to finalize its first annual "Senior State of Housing" report in June and to emphasize efforts that help older residents remain in their current homes.

At the 1 p.m. meeting on Zoom, James Fitzgerald, COA Housing Subcommittee Chair, told members the COA staff have offered assistance on senior housing and are connected with local partners including Cedar Gardens, Sherwood Village, Springwell, the Natick Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT), Metrowest Family Promise and the Natick Service Council. The committee reviewed staff responses to its earlier questions about senior housing services and supports.

The subcommittee set a timeline for the report: a draft will be available in May for review and the group plans to finalize and present a summary at the full Council on Aging meeting on June 8, 2026. Committee members said the next fiscal year’s priorities should focus on programs and interventions that allow seniors to stay in Natick homes as long as practicable.

Members flagged rising home fuel costs as a pressing concern for many seniors and questioned whether existing programs will be adequate if shortages push prices higher. The minutes note that SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council) currently operates a program intended to help with fuel-related needs, but committee members asked whether that support would be sufficient under worsening conditions.

Committee members also discussed affordable housing lotteries as part of housing options for older residents but did not identify specific lottery projects during the meeting. The subcommittee finalized the meeting points to be presented to the COA board and scheduled a follow-up meeting for mid-June to complete the report.

The meeting opened at 1:00 p.m. and adjourned at 1:45 p.m. The minutes were submitted by James Fitzgerald, COA Housing Subcommittee Chair.