During a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Affordable Housing Trust in Southborough, significant discussions centered around the town's new compliance with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Communities Act. This compliance opens the door for Southborough to apply for substantial grant funding, specifically through the Community Catalyst Fund, which offers grants ranging from $250,000 to $1 million for projects in compliant communities.

Trustees highlighted the importance of leveraging this opportunity to enhance affordable housing options within the town. With only one potentially developable area identified in the 3A districts, the board emphasized the need for strategic planning and collaboration with nonprofit and for-profit developers to maximize the impact of these funds. The conversation underscored the urgency of identifying suitable parcels of land that could be developed to meet community housing needs.

The board also discussed the timeline for grant applications, noting a submission deadline in June. While there may be challenges in having a project ready for this round of funding, the trustees expressed a commitment to gauging interest and forming connections that could lead to future developments.

In addition to the grant discussions, the trustees reflected on past efforts to utilize affordable housing trust funds effectively. They acknowledged the limitations of their current resources and the necessity of partnering with experienced developers to bring more housing projects to fruition. The meeting concluded with a call to action for the board to explore administrative assistance options that could support their initiatives moving forward.

As Southborough navigates these new funding opportunities, the focus remains on enhancing affordable housing solutions that directly benefit the community, ensuring that residents have access to safe and affordable living options.