Barkhamsted Resident Housing Needs Survey

We are working on a plan to address the housing needs of current and future residents and workers in our town as required by State statute. Currently, Barkhamsted has 26 housing units that are maintained and monitored to remain affordable to households earning less than $82,000 for a family of four. Recent studies have shown the need for many more affordable housing units like this both statewide and in Barkhamsted. This plan will lay out strategies that the town can take over the next five years to address this need while also protecting the town’s rural charm and natural resources.

To see our town’s Housing Data Profile: click here. There will be multiple opportunities for input from residents in this process including at least two public forums in the late winter/spring. Please respond to this survey to give us your feedback by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18th. Individual responses to the survey will be ANONYMOUS; only group summary results will be reported.

- Barkhamsted Housing Plan Steering Committee

Please note: This survey will inform a long-term Housing Plan for the Town of Barkhamsted and is separate from the work of the Barkhamsted Housing Trust which is a private, non-profit organization.

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* 1. Please select the option that best represents your current housing situation in Barkhamsted:

Own a single family home

Own a unit within a multiple unit building (townhouse or condominium)

Renting a single family home

Renting in a building with multiple units

Renting an apartment in or on the property of a single family home (over the garage/ backyard, or attached to the home)

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Please select the option that best represents who you live with (check all that apply):

I live alone

I live with my partner or spouse

I live with my school aged children

I live with my adult children

I live with my parents

I live with roommates

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* 3. Are any of the following statements TRUE about your housing situation (check all that apply):

Rent is too expensive (costs more than 30% of your household income)

Rental situation feels unstable (e.g., worried that owner may sell)

Mortgage, taxes, and insurance are too expensive (costs more than 30% of your household income)

Heat and/or electricity is too expensive

Maintenance costs are too high; leading to deferred maintenance issues

House/apartment is bigger than what I/we need

House/apartment is smaller than what I/we need

House/apartment is not as accessible as I would like it to be (1st floor bedroom/bathroom, zero-step entrance)

None of the above are true for my household.

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* 4. If you are currently renting, why have you chosen to do so? (choose all that apply)

N/A

Want flexibility to be able to move when I want

Only planning to be here short-term

Don’t want the responsibilities of home ownership

I can’t afford to buy/own/maintain the type of home I want in Barkhamsted

The type of home I am looking for is not available in Barkhamsted

Other (please specify)

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* 5. If you own a home, would you be interested in converting existing space in your house or building another housing unit on your property (for example over a garage or in the backyard) that you could rent?

Yes

Not sure

N/A

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* 6. If you already have another housing unit on your property or in your home that you rent, which of the following are true:

I mainly rent it for short term stays during the summer months (through Airbnb, VRBO, or other short term rental platforms)

I mainly rent it for long term tenants (a year or more)

I mainly rent it during the school year (9 months)

Only used for family or guests

N/A

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* 7. Have you experienced barriers to finding the type of housing you would like to have in Barkhamsted?

Yes

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* 8. IF YES, what barriers have you experienced (check all that apply)?

Limited/no supply of 1-2 bedroom housing options

Limited/no supply of senior housing options

Limited/no supply of rental options I can afford (no more than 30% of household income)

Limited/no supply of homes to purchase in my price range

Not applicable

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* 9. IF you have had trouble finding a rental or home purchase option in Barkhamsted that fits your household budget, what level of rent/mortgage could your household afford (without paying more than 30% of your income on housing costs)? (This will help us determine the amount of need for housing options at different rent/mortgage levels.)

N/A

Less than $1000/mo

$1,000 to $1,249/mo

$1,250 to $1,499/mo

$1,500 to $1,749/mo

$1,750 to $1,999/mo

$2,000 to $2,500/mo

Other (please specify)

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* 10. In thinking about your housing needs 5-10 years from now, which of the following best describes your plans?

Remain in current residence

Move from current residence to a larger house

Move from current residence to a smaller house

Move from current residence to a large apartment

Move from current residence to a small apartment

Move from current residence to senior housing

Other (please specify)

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* 11. 5-10 years from now, how likely are you to move from where you reside now?

Definitely will not be moving

Probably will not be moving

Unsure

Thinking about moving to another location in Barkhamsted

Thinking about moving to another town in Connecticut

Thinking about moving to another State besides Connecticut

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* 12. What do you think the Town of Barkhamsted needs more of? (Check all that apply)

Housing options that allow older adults to "downsize" (smaller sized homes with lower maintenance needs)

Senior housing options

Rental housing options that young families and young adults can afford.

Programs that allow older adults to remain in their homes by helping with the costs of rehabilitation and/or accessibility modifications like ramps and accessible bathrooms.

First time homebuyer options that allow renters to purchase their first home.

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Do you think the cost or availability of housing in Barkhamsted affects the town's ability to attract/retain younger people or young families?

Yes

Not sure

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* 14. Do you think the cost or availability of housing in Barkhamsted affects the town's ability to recruit fire/ambulance volunteers and other municipal volunteers?

Yes

Not sure

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* 15. Do you think the cost or availability of housing in Barkhamsted affects the town's ability to keep seniors (65 yrs and older) in town?

Yes

Not sure

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* 16. Do you think the cost or availability of housing in Barkhamsted affects the ability of people who work in town to live here?

Yes

Not sure

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* 17. How long have you lived in Barkhamsted?

5 years or less

6-10 years

11- 20 years

More than 20 years

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* 18. How old are you?

under 20

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70-79

80 or older

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* 19. Do you live in Barkhamsted full-time or part-time?

Full-time

Part-time

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* 20. Please select the option that best describes your current employment status: (check all that apply)

Employed by a Barkhamsted-based employer

Employed by an employer located outside of Barkhamsted

Self employed

Retired

Unemployed

Work from home

Barkhamsted Resident Housing Needs Survey

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* 1. Please select the option that best represents your current housing situation in Barkhamsted:

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* 2. Please select the option that best represents who you live with (check all that apply):

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* 3. Are any of the following statements TRUE about your housing situation (check all that apply):

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* 4. If you are currently renting, why have you chosen to do so? (choose all that apply)

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* 5. If you own a home, would you be interested in converting existing space in your house or building another housing unit on your property (for example over a garage or in the backyard) that you could rent?

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* 6. If you already have another housing unit on your property or in your home that you rent, which of the following are true:

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* 7. Have you experienced barriers to finding the type of housing you would like to have in Barkhamsted?

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* 8. IF YES, what barriers have you experienced (check all that apply)?

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* 10. In thinking about your housing needs 5-10 years from now, which of the following best describes your plans?

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* 11. 5-10 years from now, how likely are you to move from where you reside now?

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* 12. What do you think the Town of Barkhamsted needs more of? (Check all that apply)

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* 13. Do you think the cost or availability of housing in Barkhamsted affects the town's ability to attract/retain younger people or young families?

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* 14. Do you think the cost or availability of housing in Barkhamsted affects the town's ability to recruit fire/ambulance volunteers and other municipal volunteers?

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* 15. Do you think the cost or availability of housing in Barkhamsted affects the town's ability to keep seniors (65 yrs and older) in town?

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* 16. Do you think the cost or availability of housing in Barkhamsted affects the ability of people who work in town to live here?

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* 17. How long have you lived in Barkhamsted?

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* 18. How old are you?

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* 19. Do you live in Barkhamsted full-time or part-time?

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* 20. Please select the option that best describes your current employment status: (check all that apply)

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* 21. If you have any other comments or feedback for the Committee related to housing issues, please include them here.