Workshop to address local housing trusts

The Massachusetts Housing Partnership will hold a workshop on Nov. 17 addressing how a municipal affordable housing trust can help communities maintain and increase their supply of affordable housing.

The workshop will cover how municipalities can create a municipal affordable housing trust, what the powers of a trust are, and examples of trust activities.

The workshop will feature several experts with experience helping communities set up housing trusts. Featured speakers will include:
• Jennifer Goldson, JMGoldson Consulting
• Attorney Kathleen O’Donnell, Kopelman & Paige
• Beth Rust, community housing specialist, town of Sudbury
• Valerie Foster, Dennis Housing Trust
• Alice Savage, town planner, Easton

Attendees will receive a new MHP guidebook that explains strategies for setting up a trust and gaining approval from the local legislative body.

A law enacted in 2005 gave communities local authority to create a municipal affordable housing trust. Previously, only cities could create trusts through their own resolution, while towns had to petition the Legislature.

The MHP workshop will be held at the United Church of Christ Conference Center, 1 Badger Road in Framingham, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The cost of $25 includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more information, contact Connie Kruger at the MHP at (617) 330-9944, ext. 281.

• Download workshop registration form (224K PDF)