A significant portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing and the retention of subsidized housing units. The committee reviewed the current status of the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI), noting that several units were set to expire soon, with four units scheduled to fall off the list in 2026 and an additional four in 2027. There was a broader concern about the potential loss of 100 units by 2039. The committee emphasized the urgency of retaining these units and discussed the implications of their expiration, noting the town’s need for approximately 180 more units to meet housing demands.

Discussions included the possibility of hiring a consultant from a database on Chapa’s website, as the town lacked the staff to manage these issues internally. The committee acknowledged the potential for using administrative funds from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) for consulting purposes and proposed incrementally funding this over the coming years. They also considered granting some CPA housing funds to Middleborough to facilitate a housing authority position dedicated to Lakeville’s needs, though there were reservations about the efficacy of this approach given limited resources. Leveraging state grants for affordable housing was another topic of discussion, acknowledging the ongoing state push for such initiatives.

Attention also turned to the confidentiality of certain housing projects, particularly regarding group homes. Concerns were raised over the lack of available information on the expiration dates for 25 units, as well as an additional nine units categorized as confidential. It was suggested that these units might be state-owned, leading to uncertainty about when the state might discontinue operations. The committee contemplated a training session or informational meeting, proposed to be led by a person named Shelly, to address questions about the process and potential actions the committee could take.

The conversation included the absence of a dedicated housing authority within Lakeville, which shared its housing authority with Middleborough. The committee deliberated on the possibility of forming a new committee to attract volunteers interested in affordable housing, especially given that existing members were stretched thin with their commitments. Outreach to other committees, including the Council on Aging, was identified as a potential strategy to raise awareness and volunteer interest. Methods such as social media or community postings were considered for this purpose.

The committee also discussed updates to the community preservation plan, focusing on edits aimed at making the document more user-friendly. Specific definitions were added from the coalition’s website, and stipulations were included to clarify CPA fund usage. Notably, funds cannot be allocated to indoor recreation removable structures, supplies, educational materials, or brochures. Historical funds must pertain to preservation rather than creation, and funds cannot be granted to individuals for programs but should instead be submitted in the name of a qualified board or organization.

The meeting also addressed the alignment of meeting dates with application deadlines, noting that one member, John, had difficulties attending meetings on Thursdays. This discussion was tabled for the next meeting, allowing more members to weigh in. Additionally, the committee explored the potential need for a new color scheme for certain documents, with a suggestion to change the text to red for better visibility.

In reviewing project recommendations, the committee clarified that it is not obligated to endorse a project merely because it meets eligibility criteria. This provision, based on guidance from a presentation by an individual named Stuart, was intended to clarify applicants’ intentions and ensure projects align with the CPA plan.