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Housing Partnership Committee

Committees: Housing Partnership Committee

Housing Partnership Committee

2006 Annual Report

The Committee is one of many state-certified local Partnerships working with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership 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 needing more appropriate sized housing, 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 members of the Housing Partnership Committee are appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and the Committee advises and makes recommendations to that Board.  The Committee’s specific responsibilities include evaluating the housing needs of Hingham, formulating appropriate housing goals, reviewing Local Initiative Projects, identifying opportunities to enhance Hingham’s affordable housing inventory, implementing and overseeing Town-initiated affordable housing projects, and supporting legislation to advance these objectives.

In particular, the 2003 Town Meeting charged the Board of Selectmen with developing a plan for the production of affordable housing on the “Selectmen’s Parcel” in the old Naval Ammunition Depot off Beal Street.  An article authorizing such a plan was approved at the 2005 Town Meeting, and the Board of Selectmen released an RFP for this project in the fall of 2006.  The Committee is engaged in reviewing the responses to the RFP and formulating a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.   In addition, the Committee is working on a proposal for a Housing Trust.  Finally, the Committee continues to explore opportunities for enhancing Hingham’s affordable housing inventory and to take additional steps to facilitate its objectives.

The Committee 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 Committee also appreciates input and assistance from Town citizens, all of whom as welcome to attend its meetings.