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Affordable Housing Trust explores MHP Mini Boost, federal options and a transfer fee to fund projects
Summary
The Trust discussed applying for technical assistance (MHP Mini Boost and larger TA programs), probing whether the federal '21st Century' housing bill could help, and debated a real‑estate transfer fee (examples cited from Nantucket and other towns). Members assigned follow-ups on applications, parcel lists and community outreach.
The Town of Southborough Affordable Housing Trust spent much of its July 20 meeting on potential financing and outreach strategies.
Trust members debated short technical‑assistance options such as the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) Mini Boost (the meeting referenced the Mini Boost’s main page listing $2,000 while the application form showed up to $5,000). Members said the Mini Boost or a more intensive MHP/ MAPC technical‑assistance program could fund a board training session, help prioritize municipal parcels for affordable housing, or support development of a community‑facing engagement strategy. "Maybe applying for money for somebody to come in and talk with us at one of our meetings to..." one member said, urging staff support for applications.
The Trust also discussed whether federal legislation — described in the meeting as the '21st Century Road to Housing' bill — offers practical channels for the Trust. Members said benefits are likely indirect (a pass-through to nonprofit developers or community partners) rather than direct grants to a local trust; David volunteered to dig into financing opportunities and help with applications.
A longer-term revenue option discussed was a local real‑estate transfer fee modeled on measures pursued in Nantucket, Provincetown and other Massachusetts communities. Members described possible thresholds (one option cited in discussion was 0.5 percent on sales above $1 million, with others considering higher thresholds) and noted that enabling authority typically requires either state action or a special act. Members urged community conversations before pursuing such a measure at town meeting.
On outreach, the Trust agreed to pursue several near-term tasks: Paul to coordinate with the municipal survey effort to include housing questions, David to follow up on assessor parcel lists and open-space constraints, and staff to pursue MHP/MAPC technical‑assistance options. The Trust agreed it would likely start with a smaller Mini Boost or TA engagement and, if useful, pursue a larger consulting engagement later.
