LYNN — The city’s efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing are moving forward.
Jeff Weeden, manager of planning and development at the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND), updated the City Council Tuesday on the implementation of the housing-production plan that the Council approved last September and the Massachusetts Department of Community Development approved in January.
The plan was developed in collaboration with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
Over the last three months, significant progress has been made, including the formation of a working group, comprised of city officials, and a steering committee that is made up of community members.
The working group includes representatives of the mayor, City Council, LHAND, EDIC, Law Department, Inspectional Services, Planning Department and Community Development. They are charged with implementing the policies and practices recommended in the plan, while the steering committee shares feedback and insight from the community.
“This plan, which relied heavily on feedback from Lynn residents and a detailed review of market conditions, addresses one of the critical issues our residents face,” said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. “We are excited to take the next steps to implement the plan. We realize these actions will support growth that benefits the entire city and have a positive impact for cost-burdened residents.”
In the presentation to the City Council, Weeden highlighted the five strategies that have been developed to implement the plan. They include:
— Using the city’s zoning ordinance to facilitate development of varied housing at a range of price points. The city has entered into a partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School to conduct an inclusionary-zoning study. Follow-up will include hiring a consultant to develop an inclusionary-zoning policy to be presented to the City Council.
— Using city resources to meet affordable-housing needs. This would include facilitating redevelopment of the city-owned School Street lot to create affordable housing in the downtown, and establishing an affordable housing trust.
— Adopting policies to protect the rights of renters.
— Increasing efforts to foster a welcoming and diverse culture in the city. This is in line with the city’s larger efforts in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.
— Preserving the existing housing supply, especially rental housing and deed-restricted affordable units. To help with these efforts, Lynn is one of only two cities in the state to receive a $100,000 Neighborhood Hub technical assistance grant from MassHousing.
“It is very encouraging to see the amount of progress that has already been made in a short period of time,” said Buzzy Barton, councilor-at-large and the City Council’s representative on the working group. “The partnership between the Mayor’s office, Council, LHAND and the state is great to see and will greatly benefit those facing difficulties finding affordable housing in the city where they want to live. I’m glad to be a part of it.”
