At the forefront of the discussions was the board’s consideration of a proposal from the African Heritage Reparation Assembly regarding reparations and affordable housing. The board deliberated on the potential legal challenges of directing benefits to priority populations and using municipal funds for reparations. There was talk of adopting a resolution declaring reparations a public purpose and exploring other options, such as channeling funds through non-profit organizations with aligned objectives. Additionally, the board expressed interest in a transfer fee proposal, which would allocate shared funds between the town’s Capital Improvement Fund and the Affordable Housing Trust.

The board also discussed the possibility of using funds to support down payment assistance for units previously supported and explored the urgency of rental assistance. The debate touched on whether these forms of assistance should be incorporated into the development goals or treated as separate objectives. Further discussion revolved around the potential inclusion of emergency rental assistance as a goal and whether the trust should anticipate working on it.

Another topic of significance was the board’s site visit to Father Bill’s and Main Spring, which provided valuable insights into a comprehensive approach to shelter, permanent supportive housing, and daytime services. The board expressed enthusiasm for potentially collaborating with Father Bill’s and Main Spring and adopting some of their successful strategies.

In terms of project development, the board reflected on the VFW project, considering how to apply insights from the site visit to their own initiatives. They stressed the importance of setting a high standard for themselves and discussed leveraging expertise and support from organizations like Father Bill’s and Main Spring and Craigs Doors.

Regarding community engagement, the board debated the number of events or outreach efforts to undertake to engage the community and build support for affordable housing. Suggestions ranged from forming a planning committee to map out annual engagement efforts to focusing on the upcoming housing production plan update as an opportunity for community involvement. The importance of measurable outcomes from these activities was also emphasized.

The meeting included a discussion on the Western Mass Coalition’s recommendation to make affordable housing transfer fee mechanisms more accessible statewide. The board members voiced their support or concerns about the language surrounding public housing and the importance of renovating and refilling empty units. They further discussed advocating for the transfer fee as a priority for the bond bill, drafting a letter to Representative Dom to outline their priorities.

The board considered the feasibility of various goals, including the creation of 250 homes affordable to people earning below 100% of the area median income (AMI) over the next five years. Some members questioned whether 100% AMI was an appropriate target and whether permitting should be used as a measure of progress. The need for clear metrics and an action plan was highlighted, with a focus on achievable and actionable goals.

The potential use of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for affordable housing was also addressed. There was a question about whether a million dollars had already been committed or was still under consideration. The board explored leveraging inclusionary zoning, allowing for greater or lesser payments depending on units, to further their agenda.