Housing Trust Provides Over $99,000 In Emergency Rental Assistance

Report On The Meeting of the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Julky 8, 2021

The meeting was conducted on Zoom and was recorded.

Present:
Members John Hornik (Chair), Sid Ferreira, Rob Crowner, Carol Lewis, Allegra Clark and Erica Piedade.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman joined later
Absent: Will VanHeuvelan and Francis Goyes Flor
Staff: Planner Nate Malloy and Rita Farrell, Assistant

Vacancy On The Trust
Hornik announced that Goyes Flor is moving to Boston and will be resigning from the Trust in September. Those interested in serving on the Trust should fill out a Community Activity Form on the town website.

There are six applicants to replace John Page as an intern for the trust. The position will be filled soon.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Janna Tetreault of Community Action Pioneer Valley, the organization that administered the Emergency Rental Assistance program, reported on the final results of the program which ended on June 30.  There were 196 applicants and 50, (26 percent), were approved. Rental assistance amounted to more than $99,000. The program had allocated $200,000 for distribution, but the presence of state and federal Covid relief programs decreased the local need.

Sites Eyed For Development of Affordable Housing
The request for proposals has been issued for the development of affordable housing on the Belchertown Road land that the town purchased last February and the East Street School. Applications are expected to be submitted within 30 days. Hornik mentioned that the existing houses on the Belchertown Road site could possibly be moved to a smaller town-owned parcel to provide affordable home ownership.

The Trust is also evaluating land to the south of Strong Street, just over the railroad tracks from Maplewood Circle. This is property that was purchased to be a subdivision with 11-13 lots. But the subdivision was never built and the town acquired the land because of unpaid taxes. One house was built near Strong Street, and one lot was purchased privately. The Trust will hire consultants to see if the property is suitable for housing. It is possible that some lots could be sold at market rate to finance affordable housing on others. The state has a new financing program to promote home ownership in designated areas, and this property is eligible for that program.

Discussion of providing affordable housing at the site of the previous Hickory Ridge Golf Course will be on the agenda for the August 12 meeting. Unlike the Strong Street site, this site is close to a bus route. Hornik suggested that it might be appropriate for senior housing or a mix of families and seniors.

Hornik mentioned pending legislation in the State Senate, sponsored by State Senator Jo Comerford, that would add an extra fee to houses selling for over half a million dollars. The extra money collected would go to the development of affordable housing through housing trusts. The AMAHT has written a letter in support of the legislation.

Options For A  Seasonal Shelter
Clark reported that the contract with the University Motor Lodge has been extended for another year, so those 20 rooms will be available for use as a shelter in the next year. The town is in discussion with other nearby towns about purchasing the Econolodge in Hadley, possibly with help from state funds. This could provide a year round shelter and probably some studio apartments.

Housing For Seniors
Amherst Neighbors, a group concerned with the needs of the town’s older population, has invited Hornik to speak to the group on September 4. He may see if the group is interested in expanding its program into a Fall Housing Forum with several speakers.

Hornik noted that Director of Senior Services Mary Beth Ogulewicz is conducting a survey of older adults about their needs. He will suggest that she add questions about housing needs.

Comprehensive Housing Policy Modified
In response to feedback from AMAHT and the Amherst Community Land Trust, the Community Resources Committee has strengthened the affordable housing aspect of its draft Comprehensive Housing Policy. The draft now includes a goal of creating 250 affordable units over the next five years. There are already about 100 units planned between the supportive studio apartments on Northampton Road and the units planned for the Belchertown Road site.

Hornik also urged the town to negotiate with UMass to create 3000-5000 more units for its students, some of which should be for low-income students.

Community Preservation Act Requests Proposed
Hornik proposed two applications for CPA funds in FY23. The first is for $30,000 over two years for technical assistance, a role that has been filled by Farrell for several years. The second is an open-ended request for $500,000 to support affordable housing. This could be used to survey or purchase land or to help create affordable rental housing or to promote home ownership.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 .

The next meeting is scheduled for August 12.