HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-05-LHRC-min-att.pdfTown of Lexington
Lexington Human Rights Committee
Christina Lin, Chair
humanrightscmte@lexingtonma.gov,
4lhrcchair@gmail.com
Town of Lexington
Board of Appeals
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
November 05, 2025
Dear members of the Zoning Board of Appeals,
The Lexington Human Rights Committee is writing in support of Causeway Development’s
Comprehensive Permit application for 591 Lowell Street (Map68, Lot44). This project aligns tightly with our
committee’s values for a diverse and inclusive community and the basic human right[1] to adequate housing.
Lexington is not immune to the housing shortage crisis affecting communities across Massachusetts. As
illustrated in the 2025 Housing Needs Assessment, nearly a quarter of our residents spend more than 30% of
their income on housing, qualifying them as housing cost-burdened.[2] Even more concerning, half of these
families are spending more than 50% of their income on housing. These figures reveal a reality that contrasts
sharply with Lexington’s affluent image – and underscores the urgent need for more affordable housing options
in our town.
The project at 591 Lowell Street represents the culmination of over two years of thoughtful planning and
transparent public engagement with a wide set of stakeholders in the Lexington community. This diligence has
produced a remarkable development that is uniquely 100% affordable, with an average AMI below 60%. This
is significant because many builders set their limits at 80% AMI which serves middle housing needs only. In
contrast, Causeway Development’s project will also meet lower-income families’ needs.
It is worth noting that even our own Town and School staff often earn less than Lexington’s 80% AMI
threshold – leaving many unable to live in or near the community they work and serve. This project will help
bring some relief to this inequity.
We urge you to approve the Comprehensive Permit application for 591 Lowell Street. This project not
only delivers much-needed affordable housing units in a location convenient to major roads and essential
amenities, it also advances Lexington’s longstanding commitment of inclusion and community sustainability.
Thank you kindly,
Christina Lin
Town of Lexington - Human Rights Committee, Chair
[1] https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/AG-2021/01-06_Housing-Human-Right.pdf
[2] Lexington Housing Needs Assessment (Pg6)
https://www.lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14788/Lexington-Housing-Needs-Assessment