Affordable Housing

The Trustees of the Affordable Housing Trust are appointed by the Select Board and represent the Select Board, Planning Board, Town Administration, and the Housing Authority as outlined in the adopted charge. The Trust also shall include at least one resident at large. The terms are set with varying expiration dates to ensure continuity. All appointments following the initial appointment shall be for two years.

Overview

The Select Board formally established the Affordable Housing Trust in 2021. The formal charge (PDF) of the Housing Trust was adopted by the Select Board on Monday, January 25, 2021.

The Affordable Housing Trust focuses its efforts on the preservation and creation of affordable housing in Tyngsborough for the benefit of low and moderate-income households. The Trust meets quarterly to discuss and monitor plans to acquire property or funds to be used exclusively for the preservation and creation of affordable housing. The Trust is also responsible for managing funds sourced from Inclusionary Housing and the Community Preservation Act for the purposes of Affordable Housing. It shall work with the Community Preservation Committee to determine if additional funds are available to support specific projects.

The Tyngsborough Housing Authority is the entity in Tyngsborough responsible for managing public affordable housing. They maintain two public housing properties in Tyngsborough. Red Pines Terrace off Frost Road is affordable housing for seniors, non-senior handicapped residents, and low-income families. Brinley Terrace on Middlesex Road serves seniors and non-senior handicapped residents.

The Affordable Housing Trust's primary tasks are:

• Utilize the Housing Production Plan (PDF) to identify community needs and identify potential locations or methods that would be suitable for the creation of affordable housing.
• Form a relationship with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and other local resources that can assist with the financing and planning for affordable housing development.
• Evaluate the inclusionary zoning bylaw for potential improvements.
• Represent the interests of low and moderate-income households when projects or developments are proposed that include or are required to include affordable units.