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Committees: Hingham Affordable Housing Trust

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Flyer (PDF, 142kb)

Information Packet (PDF, 289kb)

Application - due by April 27, 2009 (PDF, 486kb)

Affordable Housing Trust

The Hingham Affordable Housing Trust Fund aims to further the following goals:

• The Trust seeks to preserve affordable housing through a variety of means which will benefit both current homeowners and potential new residents.
• The Trust will propose, support and develop affordable housing that contributes positively to the character of the town, considering both Hingham’s history and its future.
• The Trust will engage in education and advocacy with the goal of promoting the diversity of Hingham’s population.

Please see Article 39 of the Hingham Town By-Laws for information about the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust.

2008 Annual Report

The Hingham Affordable Housing Trust was created by a Town Warrant Article in 2007. Among other things, the Trust took over the functions of the former Housing Partnership Committee. The Trust is one of several state-authorized affordable housing trusts that work with Massachusetts and Town agencies to preserve existing housing opportunities and increase future housing for low and moderate income persons. Increasing the stock of affordable housing benefits many different constituencies, including Town employees without the resources to live in the Town they serve, older Hingham residents on fixed incomes, former residents seeking to return to Town, young adults raised in Hingham but unable to afford a Hingham residence, and other persons with a stake in the community and a desire to live in it.

The Trustees are appointed by the Board of Selectmen and include one member of that Board. The Trust has a wide range of powers, including the power to receive money and property and to undertake projects to improve affordable housing opportunities in Hingham. The Trust’s specific responsibilities include evaluating Hingham’s housing needs, formulating appropriate housing goals, reviewing Local Initiative Projects, identifying opportunities to enhance Hingham’s affordable housing inventory, and implementing and overseeing affordable housing programs.

In May of 2008, the Housing Trust began work with the Board of Selectmen to exercise the Town’s right of first refusal to acquire Lincoln School Elderly Housing from Glastonbury Abbey which had developed the property and was selling after 28 years of ownership. The Trust felt it very important for the Town to control and secure the 60 units of affordable housing for elderly and disabled residents. So began 5 months of study and effort. The Housing Trust has several members with extensive experience in real estate development and affordable housing and was able to provide convincing arguments for acquisition. A special Town Meeting on October 27 approved the purchase. A Lincoln School Housing Limited Liability Corporation has been formed with a board of managers appointed by the selectmen, the Town moderator and the Trust. This board will oversee the professional management of the facility.

Because of the current economic situation, the development of the Selectmen’s Parcel has been delayed. A new RFP will be issued when the Trust foresees a more favorable market climate. A low interest home improvement loan program was transferred from the Community Preservation Committee to the Trust at the 2008 Town Meeting. This program is now being reviewed for enactment. The Trust also explores other possible avenues to enhance affordable housing opportunities in Hingham according to the 2008 Allocation Plan adopted at Town Meeting. The Trust will submit its report on all these efforts at the 2009 Town Meeting.

The Trust appreciates the cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as other Town boards and officials. The Trust also appreciates input and assistance from Town citizens, all of whom are welcome to attend its meetings.