Affordable Housing Production Plan Development
The Affordable Housing Study Committee announced that the Dunstable Planned Production Plan for Affordable Housing was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development on May 2. The AHSC received feedback from the DHCD that it was a very well thought out and comprehensive plan which clearly showed that Dunstable understands the guidelines. This is a first, but very significant step in the town's efforts to gain more town control over how affordable housing is implemented in Dunstable.
Click here to read the approval letter.
The approved plan is posted on this website as a 3.6MB PDF file, or you can ask to see it at the Town Hall.
On January 26, 2006, the Department of Housing and Community Development certified that the Town of Dunstable is in compliance with it's approved Planned Production Plan. This certification is effective for a two year period beginning on December 30, 2005 and ending December 29, 2007. During this period, a decision by the Dunstable Zoning Board of Appeals to deny a comprehensive permit or grant a permit with conditions shall be consistent with local needs.
Click here to read the certification letter.
The Board of Selectmen have congratulated Dunstable's Affordable Housing Committee for their efforts in achieving this milestone in Dunstable's efforts to increase the availability of low and moderate income housing in the town.
Affordable Housing Public Forum
A state-approved Affordable Housing Plan will enable Dunstable to have some control over affordable housing and Chapter 40B developments. The Affordable Housing Study Committee held a public forum on January 12, 2005 which included the following presentation on Chapter 40B as it relates to Dunstable's housing needs and the committee's plans for developing a "Planned Production Plan" approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD):
- Slides as HTML pages (recommended for slower connection speeds, includes notes)
- Slides as PDF document (large file - 5.7MB)
The following links will help you learn more about the requirements of Chapter 40B:
- Overview of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Permit Law (a.k.a. Chapter 40B)
http://www.mass.gov/dhcd/ToolKit/ch40Bgl.htm - FAQ about planned production (the regulation which governs the
affordable housing plan in process)
http://www.mass.gov/dhcd/ToolKit/PProd/FAQ.htm - Good 40B overview from the town of Tewksbury
http://www.tewksbury.info/dcd/lhp/WhatisChapter40Bpamphlet.htm - Horsley Witten Group -- the firm hired by the town to help develop the
Affordable Housing Plan
http://www.horsleywitten.com
Stay tuned to this page for for information regarding other committee activities.