Housing Strategies
Larry Koff & Associates has been preparing a variety of housing plans in response to State mandates for Housing Certification, 40B Planned Production Affordable Housing requirements, 418 Community Development Plans, and community master plans.
A number of state regulations and funding initiatives impact the need for housing analysis at the local level. We address the appropriate requirements while working with municipalities to identify priority needs, goals, and implementation strategies. We want to be certain that the strategy which the community will pursue will address their needs and will match their capacity to carry out.
We collect various data sources and to inventory the community housing stock and provide an overview of the housing market, and also provide an analysis of the physical and regulatory environment in which we discuss existing land use, zoning, and potential buildout scenarios. We utilize this data to examine the gap between available housing and housing needs. Our GIS maps illustrate existing conditions and to help identify development constraints and opportunities.
Communication is key to generate input and feedback throughout the process, as well as to share our findings. A series of committee meetings, public meetings and workshops, and occasionally a questionnaire provides opportunities for dialogue about a housing vision statement, the summary of housing needs, the recommended goals and strategies, and areas for locating new housing.
The product of these efforts can include recommendations for new zoning, identification of housing development areas, organizational and funding strategies for carrying out the plan. In addition, the consultant team can work with an urban designer, a development firm, and a finance specialist to prepare, as in the Towns of Sherborn and Groveland, a concept plan for a Low Income Tax Credit affordable housing project or the identification of strategies for providing an addition to a local Housing Authority development.
Case Studies
Pepperel Planned Production Plan
The Town of Pepperell retained the services of Larry Koff & Associates to complete a Planned Production Affordable Housing Plan and an update of the Town's 1998 Master Plan.
Amesbury Planned Production Plan
Affordable Housing Site Feasibility and Needs Assessment
LKA was retained by the Town of Amesbury to develop a Planned Production Strategy detailing Amesbury’s housing needs. The town sought to redevelop underutilized structures in its historic downtown village and encourage infill development and housing growth in neighborhoods with existing infrastructure capacity. As a continuation of the Planned Production Plan, LKA compiled an inventory of potential sites for affordable housing. After narrowing down the options to a set of feasible sites, LKA with Bluestone Planning Group and MHJ Associates conducted preliminary assessments and cost analyses of the sites. The site inventory included the parcels proposed for a 40R District located at the Route 150 and Route 110 intersection. LKA assisted the town in preparing an application to DHCD to determine whether this site was a suitable location.
Groveland Planned Production Affordable Housing Plan
Impacted by 40B residential developments, the Town of Groveland's Housing Committee obtained funding and support from the Board of Selectmen to prepare an Affordable Housing Plan. Building on the recently prepared 418 Community Development Plan, the Housing Committee retained the services of Larry Koff & Associates to continue the 418 planning process with a more detailed housing needs assessment. The Committee identified the household types most in need and what mix of rental and ownership housing could best fulfill these needs. Goals were identified and specific sites were evaluated within study areas ranging from downtown to environmentally sensitive rural areas. A specific action plan involving the Housing Committee, the Housing Authority, the Selectmen, the CPA Committee, and Town Meeting was identified which would guide the proposed production of affordable housing. Funding and Use Restriction Guidelines were identified for carrying out this plan which was submitted to and approved by DHCD. The Town will seek Certification of its plan when it achieves the production of the required number of affordable housing units within a given calendar year.
Additional Projects
Dedham 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
Douglas 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
Groveland 418 Community Development Plan
Medfield 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
Middleborough 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
Norwood Interim Housing Strategy
Norwood 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
Sherborn 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
Sutton 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
Webster 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
West Bridgewater 418 Community Development Plan Housing Strategy
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20 Harrison Street, Brookline, MA 02446, 617-566-2338, fax 617-566-8594