Last week, in partnership with the Town of North Andover and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), MVPC hosted a public housing forum to discuss the status of housing in North Andover.

Like many other cities and towns in the Merrimack Valley, North Andover faces a shortage of housing options, especially for seniors and young adults. As part of the goals outlined in the Town’s Housing Production Plan, produced in partnership with MVPC, municipal officials wanted to educate residents on the need for various types of housing in the community. The housing forum presented data from that housing production plan, reviewed the Town’s permitting process for housing developments, and answered frequently asked questions related to housing development in town and across the state.

In addition to the data presented, the forum featured current and aspiring North Andover residents speaking on their struggle to find a housing option they can afford. Young professionals, recently out of college and burdened by student debt, noted the high cost of market rate units due to high demand and a shortage of available units in the area. A town employee discussed her inability to move into town because of the lack of options, and a current resident explained her decade long struggle to find affordable housing while raising her son—an issue that has ultimately resulted in her decision to leave the town.

Staff from MVPC, MHP, and the Town were present to answer questions from attendees, resulting in an engaging and educational conversation on the topic. As our region continues to address the housing challenges present in each of our communities, MVPC stands ready to support our cities and towns with their plans for housing development through education and conversation with their residents.

View the slides from the presentation below.

The entire forum is available to watch on our YouTube channel here.

To view the Housing Production Plans for each of our member communities, click here.