News Flash

The City of Amesbury recently received $80,000 from the current round of Housing Choice Grant Program Awards issued by the State. This money will be used to engage residents and businesses through strategies for how to create housing that is affordable and accessible for all. This project will include the hiring of a consultant to guide the City through the Housing Element of the Master Plan (I AMesbury 2030), update the Affordable Housing Ordinance to be inclusive and effective, and create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance to diversify housing options.

Governor Charlie Baker and his administration announced more than $143 million in grant awards to support more than 337 local economic development projects in 169 communities. The Housing Choice Grant Program Awards are provided through the Community One Stop for Growth which is a single application portal and collaborative review process of community development grant programs that make targeted investments. This process streamlines the experience for the applicant and better coordinates economic development programs and staff on engagement and grant making. It also reorients the State from a passive reviewer of funding requests to an active partner in economic development strategy, priorities, and investment.  

Mayor Kassandra said, “Amesbury, like other local communities, struggles to provide affordable housing options. This grant will help support our commitment to increase the number of affordable units by developing a solid plan for Amesbury’s future and delivering immediate action through policy changes.  The City is grateful to Governor Baker and his team for their continued commitment to funding local projects through a streamlined process so we can see results faster.”

“This is the City’s first Housing Choice grant since we were designated as a Housing Choice Community by the State in 2020. We couldn’t be more excited! It has been almost five years since we have had a focused discussion on how to create housing that meets the needs of our current and future residents. We look forward to jumpstarting the Housing Element in the early winter.”, said Angela Cleveland, Director of Community & Economic Development

About I AMesbury 2030

Mayor Kassandra Gove created the I AMesbury 2030 Task Force to help the community plan for the future. This group is spending two years (2021-2022) gathering community feedback, evaluating our strengths and weaknesses, and helping to determine where we collectively want Amesbury to be in the next 10 years. I AMesbury 2030 is looking at every aspect of the community to make sure that it’s moving forward with one vision. They are looking at eight elements: open space and recreation, learning, arts and culture, mobility, infrastructure, economic development, housing, and operations. They are considering each of these elements with three lenses top of mind: equity, health, and resilience / sustainability. 

https://cleargov.com/massachusetts/essex/city/amesbury/projects/1946/i-amesbury-2030

About the Housing Choice Grant Program 

The Housing Choice Grant Program has been making community investments since 2018 (FY19). In the first years of the program, dedicated funds were set aside specifically for rural and small towns. Rural and small towns now have their own program through the Rural and Small Town Development Fund. 

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/housing-choice-grant-program-awards#current-round-of-housing-choice-awards-