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Task force debates what counts as 'affordable' and how the state counts units
Summary
Members discussed differences between 'naturally occurring affordable housing' and State definitions tied to financing and deed restrictions, and flagged public confusion about the State 8-30g counting method.
Task Force member Kiley Gosselin explained that ‘naturally occurring affordable housing’ typically refers to units affordable to households at or below 80% of area median income and that whether a unit is counted depends on financing, deed restrictions or subsidy status. "There are different ways units can be counted," Gosselin said, noting that CHFA mortgages, RAP vouchers, Section 8 and deed restrictions can affect whether a unit is included in official counts.
Christopher Russo said the State’s counting rules create misleading local statistics. "We are falsely reporting the level of affordable housing because of the way the State counts it," Russo said, arguing that homes that have been owned for decades and are now expensive still mask local availability problems. Members agreed the Task Force should educate the public on the differences between State reporting (including the 8-30g appeals law) and locally understood notions of affordability.
