SWAMPSCOTT — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the town is one of 43 cities and towns to earn the 2025 Housing Choice Community designation, which will help give the town access to state funding opportunities and assistance to support housing growth and local planning.
The initiative, which is now in its 8th year, aims to recognize communities that adopt policies supporting increased housing production and lower costs. It provides municipalities with exclusive access to the Housing Choice Grant Program, and additional benefits through partner programs across multiple state agencies.
It is administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in collaboration with state and regional partners, according to the press release.
“It’s great news that the town is getting this award, and it’s because it’s a result of hard work by Community and Economic Development Director Marzie Galazka,” Select Board member MaryEllen Fletcher said. “She’s somebody who focuses on getting work done, and the town benefits from her hard work and it’s much appreciated.”
Fletcher continued, saying this recognition will put the town to be in a position to get more grants going forward.
Gov. Maura Healey said the high cost of housing is one of the greatest challenges facing residents throughout the state and “communities across the state are stepping up to meet it.
“It’s great that these 43 cities and towns are doing the work to create more reasonably priced homes, support their residents and lead by example. The Housing Choice designation is one of the many ways we partner with communities to help them build housing and lower costs for us all,” Healey said.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll echoed that point, saying the program is about partnering with communities to make housing more affordable.
In order to qualify for the Housing Choice designation, municipalities are required to meet certain benchmarks for housing production over the past five years, and must also demonstrate progress in implementing local policies and best practices.
“Every unit counts when it comes to solving our housing shortage, and these communities are proving what’s possible when we lead with urgency, creativity and data,” Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus said. “Whether it’s 150 homes or 15,000, every one of these communities is helping us build a stronger, more livable Massachusetts.”
The other communities that were recognized are listed as follows: Acton, Amesbury, Amherst, Andover, Arlington, Barnstable, Berlin, Beverly, Billerica, Boston, Boylston, Bridgewater, Cambridge, Canton, Chelsea, Easton, Everett, Hopkinton, Littleton, Lowell, Malden, Medford, Medway, Methuen, Nantucket, Newburyport, North Andover, Northampton, Orleans, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Provincetown, Quincy, Salem, Somerville, Stoneham, Taunton, Truro, Westford, Weymouth, Williamstown, and Worcester.
