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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-04-AHTBT-min.pdf1 Affordable Housing Trust Meeting Minutes of June 4th, 2026, 11:00 am Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in the Parker Room, Town Office Building Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; William Erickson, Mark Sandeen, Tiffany Payne, Linda Prosnitz Staff present: None Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 11:05 am 1. Strategic Planning Discussion with LexHAB and Lexington Housing Authority Executive Director Sarah Morrison and Board Member Russell Tanner provided an overview of LexHAB's strategic priorities following its transition to an independent nonprofit organization. Discussion focused on maintaining and improving the existing housing portfolio, pursuing below-market acquisitions and donated properties, expanding Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development opportunities, and supporting small-scale affordable housing development. LexHAB reported that the ADU at 26 Douglas Road is nearing completion and that applications have been submitted for additional ADU funding and project-based vouchers to support deeper affordability. Trust members also discussed housing demand, the lottery and waitlist process, potential acquisition opportunities associated with MBTA Communities developments, and future development possibilities, including the Vine Street parcel. Lexington Housing Authority Executive Director Caileen B. Foley, Commissioner Melinda Walker, and Cambridge Housing Authority Consultant Margaret Moran provided an update on redevelopment and preservation planning efforts. Discussion included redevelopment concepts for the North Street scattered-site properties that could preserve federal housing resources while increasing the number of affordable housing units, as well as preliminary funding strategies involving federal and state housing resources, tax credit financing, Community Preservation Act funding, and potential Affordable Housing Trust support. Representatives also provided an update on the Countryside repositioning effort, which is being undertaken in partnership with the Cambridge Housing Authority to improve long-term financial sustainability, address deferred maintenance needs, and support future capital improvements while preserving long-term affordability for residents. Future funding requests may be presented to the Trust as planning efforts advance. 2. Approve Meeting Minutes Ms. Tung requested a motion to approve the Affordable Housing Trust meeting minutes of 4/16/26 Open and Executive Sessions, 4/30/26 Open and Executive Sessions, 5/7/26 2 Open and Executive Sessions, and 5/21/26 Executive Session. Mr. Sandeen moved. Ms. Prosnitz seconded. No additional discussion was offered. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Sandeen – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Payne – yes, Tung – yes, Erickson – yes). Meeting minutes approved. 3. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report Ms. Tung reported that the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) Housing Institute will be held June 25–26, 2026 in Worcester and noted that Trustees interested in attending may request reimbursement through the Trust. Ms. Tung also discussed a CHAPA initiative supporting affordable housing funding priorities in the FY27 state budget. Trustees expressed support for submitting a letter to the state legislature. Ms. Tung provided an update on the Lexington Hazard Mitigation Plan and noted concerns regarding the limited timeframe provided for committee review and comment. Ms. Tung provided an update on the 5 Piper Road homeownership development in front of the Planning Board noting that the total number of units had been reduced from 46 to 40 while maintaining six inclusionary units. The Trustees discussed the proposed bedroom distribution for the inclusionary units and supported recommending that the inclusionary units reflect the percentage distribution of unit types rather than the unit square footage. Ms. Tung indicated she would provide comments to the Planning Board reflecting the Trust's recommendation. Ms. Prosnitz reported no updates from the Housing Partnership Board. Ms. Tung noted that the next Housing Partnership Board meeting would be held in person. Mr. Sandeen reported no updates from the Select Board. 4. MHP MAHT White Paper Ms. Tung presented proposed revisions to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT) White Paper being prepared by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) including comments submitted by Mr. Sandeen. The Trustees reviewed edits related to the description of the Lexington Affordable Housing Trust and Lexington Woods. Discussion focused on simplifying portions of the narrative, clarifying the Trust's role in the project, and streamlining descriptions of the development process and community outreach efforts. Trustees reached consensus on the proposed revisions and supported submission of the document to MHP. 5. Pilot Rental Assistance Program Update 3 Ms. Prosnitz provided an update on the Pilot Rental Assistance Program and reported that Metro West Collaborative Development is preparing to finalize the application materials and begin testing the online application platform. The Trustees reviewed the proposed implementation schedule and discussed outreach strategies to ensure broad community awareness of the program. Suggested outreach locations and partners included LexHAB, the Lexington Housing Authority, Town Hall, the Community Center, local faith communities, Cary Library, schools, local businesses, affinity groups, community boards and committees, and online social media and communication channels. The Trustees discussed the proposed application timeline and expressed support for beginning outreach efforts as soon as marketing materials and translated application documents become available. The Trustees also discussed responsibilities for distributing program information throughout the community and coordinating outreach with Town staff and community partners. The goal remains to launch the program during summer 2026 and distribute rental assistance payments for September 1, 2026. 6. AHT Form Application for Funding Ms. Tung reported that discussion of the Affordable Housing Trust Application for Funding was postponed until a future meeting due to time constraints. EXECUTIVE SESSION Exemption 6: To consider the Purchase or Lease of Real Property – MBTA Multi- Family Development Buy-down. The meeting will reconvene in open session. Ms. Tung requested a motion to enter Executive Session under Exemption 6, to consider the purchase or lease of real property in connection with MBTA Multi - Family Development Buy-downs. The Affordable Housing Trust Chair stated that, in her opinion, an open session would have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town and Affordable Housing Trust. Ms. Tung stated that the Trust will reconvene in the open session after the Executive session. Ms. Prosnitz moved. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Sandeen – yes, Payne – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes). The Trust entered Executive Session at 1:32 PM. The Trust reconvened in Open Session at 2:38 PM. MAPC MAHT White Paper Update 4 Ms. Tung reported that additional comments had been received from Carol Kowalski regarding the MHP/MAHT White Paper. The Trustees expressed support for including the comments as supplemental. 7. LexHAB ADU Funding Commitment Letter Mr. Erickson recused himself from discussion. Ms. Tung reviewed comments received from LexHAB regarding the draft commitment letter and discussed proposed revisions to the funding terms and project requirements. The Trustees reviewed suggested language changes related to funding amounts, project contingencies, contractor bonding requirements, and the distribution of any remaining contingency funds. The Trustees also discussed consistency of terminology, clarification of project conditions, and reporting requirements. Ms. Tung agreed to incorporate the requested revisions and send an updated draft to LexHAB. Trustees discussed finalizing the commitment letter for approval and execution at a future meeting. Adjournment: Ms. Prosnitz moved to adjourn. Ms. Payne seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a roll call vote (Sandeen – yes, Payne – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes). The meeting adjourned at 2:55 PM. List of documents reviewed 1. Draft MAPC MAHT White Paper 2. Draft LexHAB ADU Funding Commitment Letter