State Representative Rogers Files Bill for Norwood to Receive Credit for Affordable Housing
Rogers feels strongly that the law should be updated to reflect the reality of what communities are actually providing.
Editor's Note: The following information is from a press release.
With the citizens of Norwood in mind, State Representative John H. Rogers (D-Norwood) today filed a bill to change Chapter 40B to empower citizens in towns like Norwood who are currently not receiving the credit they deserve for the affordable housing they already provide.
Chapter 40B is a 1969 state law that requires at least 10 percent of a community’s housing be affordable to low and moderate income residents. Communities under 10 percent are vulnerable to developers who have the legal power to override local zoning and build high-density structures.
“The law needs to be changed because it benefits developers who are not stakeholders in the community and who care little about changing the character of the community they leave behind,” Rogers said.
According to Rogers, the definition of low and moderate income housing in the current statute only includes physical structures, but not other forms of affordable housing a community provides. Many residents of Norwood, and similar towns, receive state and federally subsidized housing assistance through vouchers, but these vouchers are not counted toward the 10 percent threshold.
Rogers feels strongly that the law should be updated to reflect the reality of what communities are actually providing.
“The founding purpose of Chapter 40B is laid out in section two: to promote the prosperity of a town’s citizens,” said Rogers. “The noble purpose of 40B, however, is being frustrated by the harsh reality of 40B,” he said. “The law does little to promote the prosperity of our citizens, but does much to promote the anxiety of our citizens.”
Rogers asserts that the goal of the law is to allow working families and seniors to remain in their communities when they might otherwise be priced out of the conventional housing market.
Mr. Ragman
9:33 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I wonder if he will attach this bill to a community development project in Roxbury like the Rink money is to Jackson Square.
Josh Andrews
2:15 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
We already do enough! Fianally somebody with the balls to say so!
Maureen Venditti
4:11 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
John Rogers is a man of honor. He has and will always look out for the residents and communities he represents. He looks to better the lives of all in them. Which includes both families and the business community. Thankfully he is looking out for the betterment of those he represents in all ways possible.
Ms. Dickson
8:25 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
We actually do nothing. We don't even bother to have a plan to get close to 10%. There are several towns similar to Norwood close to 10% in the area. Others at least have a plan.
Norwood Parent
11:12 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
We do need a plan before this turns worse. The police are doing a great job but how much more can they handle if more apartments come to town more residents and low income. Our school budget keeps getting slashed how can we handle more kids? I wonder if there will be room at our new high school for a daycare why not just model it after Brockton high.
Maureen Venditti
2:26 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Affordable housing is already here. He is just asking to get credit for it. The condo complex with the 110 units by Norwood Depot train station. Some of the units are used as afforable units is one example. Property taxes have gone up most years. If you look for the article in the Boston Globe about taxes in towns in MA. Norwood is one of the 4 with the highest at 30%. All the other towns except these 4 are lower. So we are one of the highest. A good amont of it goes toward the new high school and budget. Agree our police force does a great job. Always has. Sadly crime has gone up every where. The news seems to be about the crime that goes on throughout MA and other states. Still believe there is more good than bad in the world but, the good things don't make the news as much as the bad. When times are hard and people are out of work crime always goes up sadly.