1.Introduction
Dear Resident,
Thank you for taking this survey! Now is your opportunity to tell us your thoughts on housing in Warren. Please read the following overview before proceeding to the survey. The results of this survey will inform the development of Warren's first Housing Production Plan.
What is a Housing Production Plan?
Towns and cities in Massachusetts are encouraged to proactively plan for housing that meets the needs of their communities by completing a Housing Production Plan (HPP). This strategic plan is approved by the State for a period of 5 years and will consist of a series of recommendations that the Town can pursue to address its housing needs. An HPP can help Warren address unmet housing needs of low- and moderate-income residents, influence the type, amount, and location of both market-rate and affordable housing, and assist Town leaders in planning for ways to meet the State's 10% affordable housing goal under M.G.L. Chapter 40B. Using a planning grant awarded by the State, Warren is collaborating with the Central MA Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) to conduct this effort.
The Town is asking for your input on current housing conditions.
We are asking for your opinion on housing options and affordability in Warren. You will help the Town understand what types of housing are desired in Warren and who is most in need. Your feedback will help determine how to provide more affordable and diverse housing options to current and future residents.
What is meant by "Affordable Housing"?
Massachusetts law defines Affordable Housing as houses or apartments that are permanently restricted and priced so that they are affordable for people earning at or below 80% of the median household income of the area, otherwise known as the Area Median Income (AMI). For the town of Warren, which is located in the Western Worcester County Metropolitan Area, the AMI is $102,000.
For a household of one person, 80% AMI means that the householder must earn no more than $73,750 annually to qualify for affordable housing; for a household of four (4), it is an income limit of $105,350. A household of one or two people would pay no more than $1,975 in monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment and a household of four or five people would pay no more than $2,739 in monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment.
What is a Housing Production Plan?
Towns and cities in Massachusetts are encouraged to proactively plan for housing that meets the needs of their communities by completing a Housing Production Plan (HPP). This strategic plan is approved by the State for a period of 5 years and will consist of a series of recommendations that the Town can pursue to address its housing needs. An HPP can help Warren address unmet housing needs of low- and moderate-income residents, influence the type, amount, and location of both market-rate and affordable housing, and assist Town leaders in planning for ways to meet the State's 10% affordable housing goal under M.G.L. Chapter 40B. Using a planning grant awarded by the State, Warren is collaborating with the Central MA Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) to conduct this effort.
The Town is asking for your input on current housing conditions.
We are asking for your opinion on housing options and affordability in Warren. You will help the Town understand what types of housing are desired in Warren and who is most in need. Your feedback will help determine how to provide more affordable and diverse housing options to current and future residents.
What is meant by "Affordable Housing"?
Massachusetts law defines Affordable Housing as houses or apartments that are permanently restricted and priced so that they are affordable for people earning at or below 80% of the median household income of the area, otherwise known as the Area Median Income (AMI). For the town of Warren, which is located in the Western Worcester County Metropolitan Area, the AMI is $102,000.
For a household of one person, 80% AMI means that the householder must earn no more than $73,750 annually to qualify for affordable housing; for a household of four (4), it is an income limit of $105,350. A household of one or two people would pay no more than $1,975 in monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment and a household of four or five people would pay no more than $2,739 in monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment.