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Why more affordable housing is needed

Single-family homes in Massachusetts have never been less affordable according to a 2023 study by the Warren Group.

Massachusetts has among the highest and fastest growing home prices and rents of any state in the nation. The rising cost has dramatically increased financial pressures on low- and middle-income households, forcing them to sacrifice other priorities in order to pay for housing.

The need for affordable housing in Andover is equally urgent. The median sales price of a home in Andover in the first 6 months of 2023 was over $1,000,000. That translates to a monthly mortgage, insurance and property tax payment of over $6,500, far out of reach of most prospective homebuyers.

ACT’s Haverhill Street home, the most recent single-family home that ACT developed, received 27 eligible applications. In addition, there were 30 applications received for the resale of a two-bedroom affordable condo unit in 2022.

We need more affordable housing in town.

At a July 2023 Select Board meeting, the Board approved ACT’s Local Initiative Project (LIP) application for Mary Lou Lane

Why on Mary Lou Lane?

This particular lot is an ideal location for an all-electric, affordable home. Mary Lou Lane is a residential neighborhood that is within walking distance of both West Middle School and Andover High School. An ideal location for a family home with children.

Potential applicants

A single head of household earning under $85,200 per year with 2 children (3-person household), could currently be eligible for an affordable home restricted for those making less than 80% Area Median Income. Many town salaries are less than $85,000 a year including those posted in Select Board agendas for police officers, firefighters, library assistants, customer service assistants in many Town offices, custodians, arborists and others.

Sustainability is central to our design

Climate resilient, net-zero homes are essential for creating a more sustainable future. This home is being designed as an all-electric house built to passive house standards and will serve as a model for future affordable homes. Throughout this process we will be training students in sustainable building practices including tight building envelopes; installation of heat pumps, induction cooktop, hot water heat pumps, solar panels; installation of an energy recovery ventilator; appropriate window and building sealing and an understanding of the value of a net zero house for the low- and middle-income homeowner, the community and Massachusetts.

This affordable home will be healthier to live in, have lower ongoing energy costs with solar energy production, and be less, and possibly not at all, dependent on grid electricity generation.

Select Board statements before voting to approve the Local Initiative Project (LIP) application

“The application merits being moved forward in the process because I do think we have an extraordinary need, like every town in the Commonwealth, of having more affordable housing.”

— Annie Gilbert

“This is an issue that is statewide and is not going to go away… this is a good use of the lot in my opinion and I’m supportive of the project."

— Laura Gregory

“I would encourage you to continue to work with ACT.”

— Chris Huntress

Schematics
Draft Spring 2023

Timeline

  • The role of the Select Board is to determine if the town needs affordable housing, and if so, will this project contribute to the affordable housing in town.

    In a vote of 4-1, the Select Board approved to support the Local Initiative Project (LIP) application for a permanently affordable home on Mary Lou Lane.

  • The application goes to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). EOHLC will visit the site and meet with ACT, the architect, and the municipality to determine if the project meets the LIP 40B criteria, and if so, issue a Project Eligibility Letter (PEL). ACT then submits the PEL along with an application for a comprehensive permit to the local Zoning Board of Appeals. The comprehensive permit is between ACT and the municipality and EOHLC reviews it before finalization.

  • The Andover Zoning Board of Appeals holds public hearings for an application for relief for a Comprehensive Permit pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40B to construct affordable housing within the Town of Andover.