Maria B, ACT Supporter

I moved to Andover in 1977 to raise my children since the school systems had a good reputation and we also liked the ambiance of the town, as it was not excessively exclusive and had some income diversity. Andover is a town that offers lots of ways to get involved, a multitude of organizations and residents are engaged here. I have served as the President of the League of Women Voters, served on the Board of A Better Chance and Andover Garden Club and I currently serve on the Andover Green Advisory Board… I do my best to stay involved!

Susan Stott called me a while ago asking if I wanted to ride with her to take a look at the homes built by ACT. I had known about Andover Community Trust, but until speaking with Susan, I was not affiliated with the organization. I am proud now to be a part of this great organization because of its important mission to provide affordable housing and because it helps to increase diversity in town. I began to donate prior to the Lupine Road development and it’s great to see how much progress has been made.

Statistics show the usual way for a person to build wealth is to be a homeowner and if cut off from homeownership, it is much harder to develop generational wealth. I believe higher income towns like Andover have a real responsibility to the greater community to provide affordable housing as a way to counteract some of the financial inequality that has increased greatly since the 1980’s and has been a reality even longer for people of color. I also believe we are a better community with diversity. 

Current thinking shows that changing residential zoning could result in more multifamily developments around town. Although I would like to see more developments closer to my side of town near Harold Parker Forest, it often makes more sense for them to be built closer to town and transportation. The current homes being built at Stott Circle are in a great area within walking distance to the train station, to town, to the library and to schools.

Andover Community Trust does a great job of making affordable housing available and they do it to the extent of their funding. They’ve even expanded their reach by collaborating with Habitat for Humanity. I look forward to seeing many future projects and I will continue to support those efforts!