[Massplanners] Housing Choice Communities Designation Application is Now Open

[Zamborlini, Filipe (OCD)]

Hello Mass Planers,

The 2023 Housing Choice Communities Designation application is now open at Housing Choice Designation Application  | Mass.gov<https://www.mass.gov/how-to/housing-choice-designation-application>! Submissions will be accepted until March 3, 2023 at 5:00pm.

The Housing Choice Initiative rewards municipalities that have produced certain rates or amounts of new housing units in the last five years and that adopted best practices related to housing production that will sustain a 21st century workforce and increase access to opportunity for Massachusetts residents. Communities that achieve the Housing Choice Community designation have exclusive access to apply for the Housing Choice Grant Program<https://www.mass.gov/how-to/housing-choice-grant-program> and receive bonus points or other considerations to other participating Housing Choice programs<https://www.mass.gov/service-details/find-participating-housing-choice-grant-programs>.

There are a few notable changes this year:

  *   40R or 40Y Starter Home District: While 40Y regulations are still a work in progress, we want communities to be aware of this program and its statute: Mass. General Laws c.40Y | Mass.gov<https://www.mass.gov/lists/mass-general-laws-c40y>
  *   Mixed-Use or Cluster Development: We are clarifying that only mixed use that includes housing is eligible for this best practice.
  *   Local actions that support housing: We are clarifying examples to include surplus land and uses such as reuse/redevelopment of housing.
  *   40B pattern or approval: We have added a new best practice related to 40B and pattern of approvals to our 2023 best practices.
  *   SHI best practices: We have updated and clarified language for both best practices of 10% SHI threshold and 2.5% SHI increase as it pertains to Housing Appeals Committee (HAC).
  *   Locally adopted programs that support housing: we have removed the "Selected a housing best practice as part of a Community Compact" best practice and replaced it with a more specific and measurable best practice.
  *   Housing Plan Implementation: We have replaced the Community Compact best practice with one related to implementation of housing plan strategies other than those already listed in the best practices.

  *   IMPORTANT: In 2023, we will continue to use 2010 year round housing units as the denominator because of lack of 2020 year round units form the US Census. The same 2010 denominator that is still being used for SHI.

If you have any specific questions regarding Housing Choice Designation, please send an email to Filipe.Zamborlini at mass.gov<mailto:Filipe.Zamborlini at mass.gov>. We are looking forward to receiving new designation applications from interested communities.

Best,
Filipe

P.S.: The Community One Stop for Growth<https://www.mass.gov/guides/community-one-stop-for-growth> is currently accepting Expressions of Interest<https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-one-stop-for-growth-expression-of-interest> from potential applicants prior to submitting a full application. If you have One Stop specific questions, we encourage you to review materials online at Community One Stop for Growth | Mass.gov<https://www.mass.gov/guides/community-one-stop-for-growth>, register for an upcoming One Stop webinar<https://www.mass.gov/guides/community-one-stop-for-growth#-one-stop-resources->, and send your questions to OneStop at mass.gov<mailto:OneStop at mass.gov>.

Filipe Zamborlini (he/him/his)
Community Grants Coordinator, Community Services Division
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300
Boston, MA  02114
617-573-1445
filipe.zamborlini at mass.gov<mailto:filipe.zamborlini at mass.gov>

Please note: DHCD staff are working remotely, I check email frequently and will respond as soon as possible.

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