FALMOUTH – A new housing production plan for the town of Falmouth was approved unanimously last month by the town’s board of selectmen.
Work began on the development of the new plan last April as the town’s previous plan was no longer considered valid by Town Manager Julian Suso and other officials.
The town hired a consultant and the planning board, affordable housing committee and the town’s Housing Coordinator Carla Feroni met with several groups, boards and residents to gather input for the plan. The planning board approved the plan early in December.
“This plan provides the town with the opportunity to look at current demographic trends and to revisit our previous housing goals and to revise them based on shifting housing dynamics,” Feroni said.
Population trends identified a decline in the number of residents under 45 and an increase in seniors and smaller households, along with a leveled off year-round population.
“We all know that there is a shortage of housing for young families and for single-person households,” Feroni said.
Those groups have been targeted as being under-served in the community.
“The housing production plan goes about looking at obstacles for those folks and to the obstacles of creating the needed housing for them,” Feroni said. “It also comes up with strategies the town can use to present opportunities to these folks.”
The goal of the plan is to create 256 affordable units over the next five years.
Strategies in the plan include community outreach and education, support for the Falmouth Affordable Housing fund, and the use of public property for affordable housing and the promotion of partnerships with developers.
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