Busa Land Use Proposal Committee Report 03-14-2011

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5.2 Evaluation of the Lexington Housing Partnership Proposal Introduction The Lexington Housing Partnership (LHP) made its presentation to the BLUPC on November 4, 2010. Ms. Chris Kluchman, Bob Bicknell, and other committee members represented the LHP. Bill Kennedy was present representing the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB). Mr. Kennedy, in response to a question, indicated LexHAB was deferring to LHP. LexHAB has indicated it is interested in participating in the use of the property, if the LHP proposal does not go forward. The LHP proposal documented the continuing need for affordable housing in Lexington. 18% of Lexington's population falls into the moderate, low or extremely low- income category. The waiting list for Section 8 rental vouchers for affordable units in Lexington is about 200 people. The LHP proposal cites statistics that document the decrease in population of persons aged 18 to 24 (a decline of 50% over the last decade). The 25 to 44 year -old population has decreased by 6 %. The population of those over 65 has increased in the last decade by 19 %. 36% of renters in Lexington fall below the moderate - income category (less than $64,400 /four person household). The need for more affordable housing in Lexington continues to be unmet. It seems reasonably clear that many younger people cannot afford market housing in Lexington. LHP proposes to construct two farmhouse -style buildings containing a total of 12 rental units (NB: the number of rental units may vary; LHP "financials" in the proposal are based on 12 rental units). The units would consist of one, two or three bedrooms. The average number of bedrooms in the units would be just under two per unit. The units proposed for the Busa Farm would consist of both market rate units and affordable units. Parking would be provided on site, perhaps incorporated with one or two of the other uses put forward by the Lexington Community Farm Coalition and the Lexington Recreation Committee. The LHP plan includes a full -size playing field, and leaves nearly five acres for the community farm. The "rule of thumb" used by LHP to estimate the number of school -age children in apartments is one child for every three units. Twelve units would yield four children using this method. The number of children to be expected in a residential multi -unit development is largely a function of the number and size of the bedrooms. The anticipated additional costs to accommodate these children in the school system will have to be calculated. It was projected that the units at Avalon at Lexington Hills (Met State Hospital land) would result in a total of approximately 110 children becoming part of the Lexington school system. The total number of 166 children coming into the school system from there has exceeded the projected number by about 50 %. Evaluation Criteria: 1. The value /benefit to the people of Lexington Busa Land Use Proposal Committee Report Page 29 / 52