2021-12-00-CPC-rpt (Needs Assessment)

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Additionally, there are approximately 55 applicants for the non-SHI units in LexHAB's portfolio.The `public benefit' development at Liberty Ridge yielded three first-time homebuyer units. The lottery drew 87 applicants. The lottery agent for Liberty Ridge, Liz Rust of the Regional Housing Services Offices, stated that this was the largest response she had seen in over 200 first-time home buyer lotteries. THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT The CPA authorizes acquisition, creation,preservation and support of"community housing" activities, as well as the rehabilitation and restoration of community housing that has been acquired with CPA funds. "Community housing" is "low and moderate income housing for individuals and families, including low or moderate income senior housing." "Low income housing" is defined as "housing for those persons and families whose annual income is less than 80% of the area-wide median income," as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Moderate income housing" is "housing for those persons and families whose annual income is less than 100% of the area-wide median income," again as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Low or moderate income senior housing" is "housing for those persons having reached the age of 60 or over who would qualify for low or moderate income housing." (All content is from CPA Section 2.) As noted at the beginning of this Needs Assessment Report, since 2007 Town Meeting has approved $11,574,512 of CPA funding for community housing, including preservation projects at Greeley Village,Vynebrooke Village, and various LexHAB units; the development of new affordable housing at Farmview (Lowell Street); the acquisition of 11 dwelling units by LexHAB; support for 15 living units at Douglas House; preservation of dwelling units at Pine Grove Village, and funding of a study of future affordable housing needs. NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Lexington continues to strive to maintain an economically diverse community, although it has become increasingly difficult to do so. It will continue to be necessary to draw on CPA funds to create additional affordable units. LexHAB used CPA funds to design housing on the Vine Street parcel purchased with CPA funds in 2009. An architect was selected and LexHAB completed a schematic design. This project offers the opportunity to provide some new units to persons with disabilities, as has occurred at Fairview and Farmview. Housing owned by the LHA is a major component of the Town's affordable housing inventory. With State funding in short supply, continued CPA funding of preservation efforts will be appropriate. CPA funds were combined with funding from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to build four new handicapped accessible units at Greeley Village. There may be other LHA locations where construction of additional units would be feasible. 10