2013-12-00-CPC-rpt (Needs Assessment Report)

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moderate and middle income families. LexHab provides rental housing to eligible persons and families whose incomes do not exceed either 60% or 80% of the area median income for the greater Boston area. Since it is locally sponsored, it is able (in cases where need is equal) to give preference to applicants who have a Lexington connection through residence, work or school. LexHAB is governed by a seven -member board appointed by the Selectmen. Lexington Housing Partnership (LHP) In 2003 the Lexington Housing Partnership was formed to promote and support affordable housing activities and to recommend appropriate actions to the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board to further these goals. The LHP Board, appointed by the Selectmen, consists of 15 voting members and six liaisons representing the many committees, groups and individuals who share a goal of providing affordable housing in Lexington. CURRENT RESOURCES The Lexington Housing Authority administers 240 affordable units of low/moderate income housing including apartment complexes at Greeley Village, Vynebrooke Village and Countryside Village. In addition, the authority owns a two-family house and seven condominium units. The majority of the units are State -subsidized (154 units) while most of the remainder are subsidized by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (77 units), with the State responsible for capital improvement to all LHA units. The units are mostly occupied by seniors and by disabled and handicapped individuals and families. The LHA also administers Federal Section 8 choice vouchers and Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program project -based vouchers, which combined, serve up to an additional 74 units. While none of the Lexington Housing Authority units was purchased with CPA funds, there have been several CPA -funded projects that have benefitted the Housing Authority. These include window, roof and siding replacement at Greeley Village, window replacement at Vynebrooke Village, and the funding of a design study and funding for Vynebrooke Village to identify and improve on-site drainage. In addition, CPA funds have been allocated for the construction of four additional units at Greeley Village which will be barrier -free and accessible for elderly residents and will help bring this housing complex into compliance with State accessibility standards. LexHAB presently owns 64 units, all of which are rented to qualifying individuals or families. There is no line item in the Town budget supporting LexHAB. It does not receive State or Federal funds. The seed money for LexHAB was provided by the developers of Potter Pond and Brookhaven, who donated funds for affordable housing in order to comply with the Planning Board's inclusionary housing policy. LexHAB purchased units at the former Muzzey High School, Emerson Gardens and Parker Manor. Five properties (6 units) have been purchased with CPA funds in the last two fiscal years. A number of units have been donated to LexHAB as a result of rezoning plans negotiated by the Planning Board and approved by Town Meeting. Two homes were donated to LexHAB by their owners and were subsequently moved to Town -owned lots. Utilizing donations and rental income from its housing units, LexHAB has built 12 single 7