The MMA holds a webinar that explored the “why” behind affordable housing and emphasized the importance of building complete neighborhoods with speakers (clockwise from top left) Dana LeWinter, municipal engagement director at the Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association, Christine Madore, senior development manager for the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, Whitney Demitrius, director of fair housing engagement at the Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association and Jennifer Raitt, executive director of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments.

The MMA today hosted a webinar that explored the “why” behind affordable housing and emphasized the importance of building complete neighborhoods.

Jennifer Raitt, executive director of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, began by reviewing the municipal housing interface. She said housing is the basis for social equity, economic development and resiliency, and community well-being, which is why it’s imperative to create a conducive environment for housing development and growth.

Raitt said municipal officials have opportunities to promote fair housing and keep constituents engaged in development efforts. She encouraged attendees to understand local housing policies, including comprehensive planning, zoning regulations, and permitting processes.

Dana LeWinter, municipal engagement director at the Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association, said “neighborhood defenders” are people who attend public meetings and advocate for developments in less affluent communities, which can have the effect of causing gentrification and displacement. She said individuals who could benefit from new housing are often absent from public forums due to barriers like jurisdiction, sense of efficacy, and time constraints.

Whitney Demitrius, director of fair housing engagement at the Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association, discussed how to bolster support for affordable housing production in communities across the Commonwealth. She said increasing municipal engagement in housing initiatives can support the efforts in a community, build a culture that welcomes housing developments, and foster a collective responsibility among stakeholders.

Christine Madore, senior development manager for the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, said “complete neighborhoods” prioritize walkability, proximity to transit, and mixed-use neighborhoods, thereby building social capital, prolonging autonomy, and addressing inequities in public health risks and economic opportunity. The number of amenity- and mobility-rich neighborhoods in the U.S. are limited, however, despite increasing demand from people of all ages in all stages of life, Madore said.

LeWinter discussed opposition that municipal officials may encounter when promoting affordable housing initiatives. When confronted with these narratives, she urges local leaders to be proactive and offer solutions to address constituent concerns.

Panelists concluded by sharing tools for responding to common concerns raised about affordable housing. Demitrius emphasized the “art of the pivot,” which can help municipal officials make people feel heard while prioritizing the future-focused vision the community is working toward.

A Practical Guide to Affordable Housing: Separating Fact From Fiction – Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association presentation (1.5M PDF)
A Practical Guide to Affordable Housing: Separating Fact From Fiction – Northern Middlesex Council of Governments presentation (430K PDF)
A Practical Guide to Affordable Housing: Separating Fact From Fiction – Massachusetts Housing Partnership presentation (4.7M PDF)
14 Affordable Housing Myths and What to Say in Response resource- Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (93K PDF)

 

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