The Needham Commission on Disabilities voted March 11 to send a letter of support to the Community Preservation Committee for two projects that would add or preserve accessible housing in town and authorized its co-chairs to finalize the letter before the commission’s next meeting.

Town housing specialist Allison Steinfeld briefed the commission on the gap between the supply of subsidized, accessible housing in Needham and the local population with disabilities. "There are less than 130 subsidized housing units for the disabled in Needham," Steinfeld said, noting that figure combines 84 DDS-classified group-home units and about 46 one‑bedroom units at the Needham Housing Authority’s Seabeds Way development. She added that Needham has 11,754 housing units in total and cited 2020 Census estimates that roughly 2,262 residents — about 7.4 percent of the civilian non‑institutionalized population — report a disability.

The exchange followed Steinfeld’s overview of town policy and state requirements. She said Needham has met the state target for including 10 percent of units in the subsidized housing inventory and that the town is preparing zoning amendments required by the MBTA Communities Act and a recently changed state law on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). "The Needham housing plan ... identifies special needs housing with barrier‑free units and supportive services as 'a local priority housing need,'" Steinfeld said.

Steinfeld described two projects seeking Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding: the Charles River Center’s proposed Militia Heights development and a preservation and redevelopment initiative (PRI) led by the Needham Housing Authority that would renovate and add disability‑friendly units, including work at Seabeds Way. She said the Charles River Center project would propose 86 new affordable units, including 43 handicapped‑accessible units, and noted CRC had not yet filed a formal application with the town. Steinfeld said the CRC is requesting $3,500,000 from the CPA for Militia Heights. She said the housing authority’s Seabeds Way application has changed several times; the commission heard the authority is seeking roughly $3.2 million to $3.5 million for preservation work to extend the buildings’ useful life.

Maureen Callahan, who identified herself as a member of the Community Preservation Committee, told the commission the CPC faces more requests than it can fully fund this cycle: "Wehave been asked for over $7,000,000. We have 6 point something to give out," she said, noting the committee likely will not award full requests to every applicant.

After discussion, commission member Felix Zemel moved that the Needham Commission on Disabilities send a letter to the Community Preservation Committee expressing the commission’s strong support for the Militia Heights (Charles River Center) and Seabeds Way (Needham Housing Authority) applications for CPA funding. Alexa (recording secretary) seconded. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote with yes votes from Carol Thomas, Tatiana Swanson, Lynn Brothman, Karen (surname not specified), Felix Zemel and Jeanne Martin; Maureen Callahan abstained. The commission then voted to authorize the co‑chairs to finalize and submit the letter on the commission’s behalf; that motion also passed.

Steinfeld offered to draft initial language and work with commission leaders on wording. The Community Preservation Committee was scheduled to hold a public hearing the following evening and to take its funding votes the next week; if CPC and town meeting approvals follow, both projects would still require subsequent permitting, financing and, for CRC, state funding steps tied to affordable‑housing grant programs and 40B procedures.

The commission’s action Wednesday follows the Needham housing plan adopted in 2023, which identified accessibility and supportive housing as local priorities; Steinfeld framed the CPA requests as a near‑term, municipal funding step that can improve applicants’ competitiveness for state and federal programs.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved (by roll call) the February 18 minutes (Felix Zemel abstained); approved the motion to send a letter of support for Militia Heights and Seabeds Way (six yes, one abstention); and approved a motion to empower the co‑chairs to finalize and submit the letter (unanimous among voters present).