Barnstable Housing Production Plan Completed

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Barnstable Town Hall.

BARNSTABLE – Aiming to solve Barnstable’s housing crisis, the town’s Growth Management Department recently completed its Housing Production Plan.

According to the department, the plan outlines a roadmap to a “vibrant intergenerational community with diverse and attractive year-round choices.”

With Barnstable Growth Management Department studies showing that nearly half of renters are paying too much every month for rent, developing affordable housing is a crucial element to the plan.

“It means we’re looking at our housing needs in the community and we should have some big picture goals as to how we’re going to move in certain directions, certainly to have more housing that’s affordable is important,” said Mark Ells, Barnstable Town Manager.

The HPP outlines 18 recommendations to help the town address local housing needs, particularly in ways to ensure protection of natural resources and support economic growth.

It has been approved by the town’s planning board, and pending further discussion by Town Council, will be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Economic Development.

Being a state-recognized plan, it will allow the town to influence the location, type, pace, and development of affordable housing.