Recently the Housing Board in Medford spoke at the City council Meeting telling the statistics of housing in Medford….Singles, multi, renters, etc. We, sadly, have a Trust now for some reason. Cities like Somerville Lynn, and Newton have Trust Funds for Affordable Housing. Fund, In lay terms, to me, means donations. From who??
The speakers indicated we need more AHsg. By law! Or by their ideology? Is Weston or Belmont worried! While due credit is given to the Board ‘s time, Cities above are quite LARGER in geography, density, transportation, money scope, housing numbers.
Looking into the broader means to more AH, a developer can seek MORE than 10% by Special Permit thus solving half our problem. Why does the Board not look at prezoned areas and exclude the residential streets….build up over some businesses.
This is a much better means than an AHTrust Fund, less toil and expense than a Trust Fund! Medford now may fulfill it’s AH duty….this does not mean there is not more room for jello…Yet, we should look at the future feeders of the Trust…ie, EFFECTS. The assumption we NEED more AHSg will lead automatically to REZONING again which our Council loves and more money from homeowners and taxes again!
THIS TRUST FUND is a back door to REZONING. Remember the Alamo or poor Salem St. This group looks at the premise more want to live here …but the whole demise in Medford, look, traffic, historic value will be hidden by all new multi structures if Voters let this continue.
Longer , invested homeowners care about this…newcomers do not. Again, this is not Negativity, this is reality. Let Developers seek Organized, rehab,and built housing with 20% more room for AH. Not $$ overflow or our taxes into this Fund.
Try to attend or watch ALL upcoming meetings. Research AH Trust Funds and where they can take money!!
Sharon Deyeso, Longtime Resident
FYI. sharondeyeso@yahoo.com