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The Sudbury Housing Authority is proposing to modernize four of its oldest properties by redeveloping these single family homes into two family homes. The dual goal of the SHA is to create additional homes for the smaller families on its waiting list and to turn its aging assets into modern, energy-efficient and attractive properties. To that end, the SHA applied for and received approval from the Community Preservation Committee for $450,000. The SHA also applied to the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and was one of three communities state wide to be awarded a grant of $1,200,000 for the construction of these homes plus four vouchers, valued at $1,000,000, that will generate the income for maintenance of these homes for decades to come. This new CPA funding in the amount of $450,000, plus $650,000 of previously allocated CPA funding, will be more than matched by a combination of funding from the state grant, previously awarded mitigation funds, and a mortgage that will be paid back with rents from the new units.
In the 1970s and early ‘80s, the SHA purchased four single-family, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses for rental to low-income families. Although these homes have been updated by the SHA over the years, their 50 to 70 year old construction and varied architectural styles do not easily accommodate major renovation or expansion. The new homes will be attractive, more energy efficient, and easier to operate and maintain by the SHA. The SHA expects that the new homes will consist of a mix of 1 to 3 bedroom units. The smaller units will better match the needs of the smaller families who are current tenants of the SHA and those families on our waiting list (currently 20,000) both of which lean heavily toward needing 1 and 2 bedroom units.
The SHA is committed to designing buildings that fit seamlessly into the neighborhood. An architectural firm named Zero Energy Design was recently hired on March 21. This firm has experience designing single and multifamily homes that meet this requirement. A listening session was held on March 27 during which many members of the Pine Lakes neighborhood provided valuable insights for the architects to consider while designing these buildings. It was our hope to have architectural renderings available before Town Meeting. Unfortunately, the SHA will not have the designs in sufficient detail to review with the neighbors and the public before Town Meeting. Rather than proceed to Town Meeting without the opportunity to present the proposals, the SHA voted to Indefinitely Postpone Article 46.
The SHA looks forward to working with the community and the Town when the designs are available.
Amy Lepak, Chair of the Sudbury Housing Authority