SWAMPSCOTT — The Office of Community and Economic Development will hold a public virtual Town Meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the town’s draft Housing Production Plan and receive feedback from community members.
In response to demographic shifts that include a declining younger population, yet gains in the number of residents overall, Swampscott partnered with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, or MAPC, to prepare a Housing Production Plan in 2016. The original plan sought to address rising housing costs, affordability gaps, and severe cost burdens. On Monday, the Office of Community and Economic Development will seek input on an updated version of its 2016 plan, which suggests strategies to promote affordable, appropriate, and accessible housing.
“Any person or organization so willing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard,” the meeting notice said.
The updated plan reflects current demographic, economic, and housing market conditions. One of its goals, according to the draft, is to enable Swampscott to reflect on the progress it has made regarding affordable housing, including an examination of recent developments such as The Machon, an age 55+ affordable apartment community at 35 Burpee Road. The updated plan also suggests strategies to promote housing diversity and affordability that adequately respond to Swampscott’s growing and aging population.
The amount of middle-aged Swampscott residents has fluctuated over the past several decades and the town has experienced a near 5 percent population increase of those aged 55 to 64 since 2000.
The MAPC projects that adults aged 65 and older will represent nearly 30 percent of Swampscott’s population by 2030. In 2010, that group represented only 18 percent of the town’s residents.
“This situation is not unique to Swampscott as it is a trend throughout the Greater Boston area recently exacerbated by the pandemic,” the draft said. “More residents are struggling to remain in the community, including seniors looking to downsize or adapt their homes to their current needs. Additionally, housing costs are becoming increasingly out of reach of young families.”
The updated draft Housing Production Plan identifies four main priorities. The first is the addition of more subsidized rental housing. The second is the introduction of a wider range of affordable housing options, including starter home options for younger households entering the job market and forming their own families that may be currently priced out of Swampscott’s housing market. The third is the construction of handicapped-adaptable or accessible housing. The fourth is the promotion of resources to support home improvements to make existing housing more safe and accessible.
While Monday’s meeting will be held on Zoom, the Office of Community and Economic Development will also accept suggestions and comments regarding the draft Housing Production Plan in writing at 22 Monument Ave. this weekend.
Rachel Barber can be reached at [email protected].
