Affordable Housing
What is Affordable Housing?
A commonly accepted definition of affordable housing is housing that costs no more than 30% of a household’s income; therefore, affordable housing can be naturally occurring or can result from assistance. The State defines Affordable Housing as housing that costs 30% or less of household income for households making less than 80% of state or Area Median Income (AMI), whichever is lower. Based on current income limits for the communities in Plymouth County, a family of four making up to $130,000 per year may qualify for certain affordable housing programs (rental and homeownership).
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What Does Affordable Housing Look Like?
A common myth about affordable housing is that it consists only of higher-density apartments. This is not true. Affordable housing is just like any other type of housing and comes in many shapes and sizes ranging from single-family homes to duplexes and from townhomes to apartments. It can be privately owned or rented. It can house seniors, families with children, single individuals, or persons with disabilities. It can come in a range of architectural styles.
Scroll down to view some examples of what affordable housing can look like, including some examples from the OCPC region.
Single Family Homes
Smaller single-family homes, commonly referred to as “starter homes” are an important part of a community’s housing stock. These provide options for families looking to own their first home as well as for older residents looking to downsize.
However, over the last decade, the price for these “starter homes” has risen drastically, largely due to limited supply and increased demand. The shortage of starter homes keeps the median price of a single-family home in Massachusetts above $400,000.
Public Housing
Publicly owned and operated affordable housing developments are arguably the most recognizable type of affordable housing. Many municipalities in Massachusetts have a Housing Authority that owns and operates housing for low-income residents, including families and those who are elderly and/or disabled. This housing can be provided at various densities or styles ranging from apartments to duplexes, or even single-family homes.
This picture shows the Algonquin Heights community which is owned and managed by the Plymouth Housing Authority.
Mixed-Income Housing
Some affordable housing developments contain a mix of affordable and market-rate units. Mixed-income developments come in a range of densities and housing types, ranging from apartments, to townhomes, to single-family subdivisions. Most of these developments are privately owned and operated.
This image shows The McElwain School Apartments in Bridgewater, a renovated elementary school with 57 residential apartments, 90% of which are set aside as affordable units. The remaining 10% of units are at market rate.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Accessory dwelling units, sometimes referred to as “in-law apartments,” are small dwellings that are on the same property as a regular single-family home. These can be attached to the main home, or built as a separate building in the backyard, depending on local regulations. In Massachusetts, Governor Healy signed the Affordable Homes Act (8/6/24), which requires municipalities to adopt by-right permitting in single-family zoned districts, caps parking mandates at one spot per unit for ADUs further than ½ mile from public transit and bans owner occupancy requirements. Until the law was signed, cities and towns in Massachusetts regulated ADUs. Some municipalities allowed them, while others had complex zoning laws that could make it nearly impossible to build one.
Accessory dwelling units can provide affordable housing options for residents, family members, or caregivers. They can provide the homeowner with an additional income stream, which can reduce overall housing costs.
Private Rental Housing
Many low-income families rent private units and receive housing assistance through the federal Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program. Rental units that are at or below “fair market rent” may be eligible for this program. Eligible low-income households are required to pay 30 percent of their household income towards rent, while subsidies cover the remaining costs.
Households that receive rental assistance are free to rent any type of housing that is at or below fair market rent, including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and apartments.
Non-Profit Housing
Non-profit organizations may also build and manage affordable housing development. Often, these developments receive state and federal funding for construction. In return for financial support, the units must be deed restricted and reserved for eligible low-income households.
This image shows the Sycamore On Main development in Brockton, which provides 48 apartments, 100% of which are affordable for low-income families. This project is managed by WinnResidential.
