Housing for the Masses

By Kimberly Reiss

 NEWTON - The housing pricing and taxes have jumped making it more difficult to live in this Boston suburb. Officials are trying to change this and include more affordable housing option for lower income families.

In the 2000 census, Newton had 7 percent of its housing considered affordable, according to the Newton Comprehensive Plan.  Massachusetts law requires communities to have at least 10 percent of its housing units affordable.

“The purpose of drawing up the comprehensive plan was to address problems like the one of affordable housing,” said Phil Herr author of the comprehensive plan and chairman of the Newton Housing Partnership.  The mission of the Newton Housing partnership is to help and support the development of housing for people of all incomes  “If we want a balanced community that includes teachers, firemen, store clerks, and non-wealthy seniors, then major efforts and strategies to combat the problem will be required.” 

There are several non-profit organizations in Newton that have been working for years to alleviate the problem of un-affordable housing including CAN-DO and the Newton Community Development Foundation.

“Communities need to accept greater density at certain locations and increase their funding,”  said Josephine McNeil, executive director of CAN-DO.  “Housing should be a human right.”

McNeil runs CAN-DO, which works to create housing for lower income families in Newton.  The organization develops rental and for-sale housing.  To date, they have created 38 units, 31 of which are deed-restricted to preserve their affordability. 

The organization recently completed two condominium projects, which are both in Newton Upper Falls. 
            

To get funding for their projects McNeil says the town of Newton has been very supportive. 

“Can-Do couldn’t have managed without Newton providing funds from the Community Preservation act,” McNeil said. “Newton doesn’t have land to donate, so CAN-DO must buy on the open market.” 

Like CAN-DO, the Newton Community Development Foundation tries to maintain Newton diversity by developing and managing affordable housing.  According to the foundation’s website http://www.ncdf.com, NCDF has developed six properties in Newton.  The organization provides homes for hundreds of moderate-income families, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. 

Even with organizations like Newton Community Development Foundation, and CAN-DO, affordable housing remains a problem.  Newton’s Comprehensive Plan outlines what is needed to tackle the issue head one which includes things like, strengthening financial resources, utilizing existing housing, as well as acting along side the city’s other goals and efforts. 

“Hopefully these ideas for housing will help us hit that 10 percent of affordable housing recommended by the state,” Herr said. 

McNeil adds the benefits of good affordable housing are important to the community’s children.

“If more families can live in safe places and send their children to good schools, the children are more likely to grow up economically independent and give back,” he said.