Affordable housing project meets need for Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – Selectmen favored encouraging proposals for affordable housing at the former Senior Center on Burrill Street that, while potentially creating nowhere near the percentage of affordable housing recommended in the town by the state’s “anti-snob” 40-B legislation, will still address the community’s need.”It could get us three units of affordable units and the development of affordable housing has been slow and there is certainly an economic need for [it],” said Selectman Jill Sullivan at the board’s Wednesday afternoon meeting. “It’s helpful to make progress and that it’s not going to help us obliterate 40-B.”The state’s 40-B law enables developers to bypass certain local zoning procedures and guidelines to construct projects that include affordable housing units in communities where less than 10 percent of the housing stock deemed affordable. This housing is offered first to local residents who meet certain income guidelines based on family size and the 2011 area median income of $96,500, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said Thursday that the latest survey of affordable housing in 2008 recorded that the town had 3.6 percent of its housing units deemed affordable – making it approximately 390 units short of the 10-percent goal.But while he said Thursday that the 40-B statute was “certainly not driving development” in Swampscott – affordable housing is a need in town – which has an aging population that is looking to downsize from single-family homes but remain in the community, he said.Sullivan argued that the former Senior Center would be an ideal site for a few units of affordable housing. The parcel also has special zoning that ensures that the existing building be retained. The location is within walking distance of both the beach and the train station and can accommodate no more than three units, Sullivan said.The potential revenue is from selling the building is also very similar if it is sold as a single-family house or a home with three-units of affordable housing, Maylor said.Moreover, as town-owned property, the board has to approve any development on the site.