Affordable Housing Committee Chairman Van Ellet, seen in this file photo, suggested waiting on a study of housing needs, citing the Cable Mills and Highland Woods projects.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Affordable Housing Committee on Thursday made progress on a revised mission statement.

 

The committee met and reviewed draft language for a statement of purpose to guide the panel at a time when the town is bringing more than 50 units of subsidized housing online.

 

The current mission statement — adopted less than two years ago — focuses on the creation and preservation of housing programs and specifically mentions the state benchmark of making sure 10 percent of the town’s housing stock is affordable to residents at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

 

The statement discussed on Thursday is less specific but would come with an accompanying list of guiding principles that includes the 10 percent benchmark.

 

"The proposed mission statement reads, 'To assist the Board of Selectmen in its effort to provide a full range of housing choices for all residents of Williamstown,' " Chairman Van Ellet read in a meeting televised on the town’s community access television station, Willinet. " 'The committee is dedicated to enhancing the diversity and the economic vibrancy of Williamstown by developing and preserving quality affordable housing.' "

 

The first of the supporting principles in the current draft addresses the state's target for subsidized housing.

 

" 'To that end, the committee will support and facilitate the creation of affordable housing that will comprise, at a minimum, 10 percent of the town’s total housing units for those with income at or below 80 percent of the area median Income,' " Ellet read.

 

The list of principles goes on to talk about engaging the community and town agencies, identifying potential sites for housing, looking for outside resources and documenting the need for subsidized housing.

 

On the last point, committee member Dylan Stafford suggested the committee commit to regular studies of the housing market in town.

 

But Ellet, alluding to the 40 units of senior housing under construction at Highland Woods and the 13 units of affordable housing planned at the Cable Mills project, said the landscape is changing too quickly to commission a new study at this time.

 

"I'm for doing whatever is necessary to document the need," Ellet said. "I personally was not totally on board with the last study [the committee commissioned in 2013], and I also think the addition of the new housing programs, such as Highland Woods, changes things."

 

Committee member Craig Clemow agreed.

 

"What we'd want to be careful of is not tying the committee to doing a particular thing at a particular time," Clemow said.

 

The committee took no action on the draft mission statement on Thursday night. But the topic likely will come up at its next scheduled meeting, Feb. 12.

 

In other business, the members discussed revisions to the committee’s page on the town website, which they hope to make easier to navigate and more helpful to prospective residents.

 

The committee's newest member, Vivienne Jaffe, suggested including a section on the page for people who are wondering they might qualify for a housing program.

 

"The problem is it's kind of hidden," Jaffe said, referring to the definitions on the town's page from the Massachusetts Housing Institute. "We need something for someone dipping their toe in to say, 'Maybe I can get some affordable housing.' "