Housing Committee

Message from the Co-Chairs of the Housing Committee on the Housing Trust Warrant Articles, 2023 Annual Town Meeting

Dear Friends: 

We are the co-chairs of the Egremont Housing Committee, which supports the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (the "Trust") on the warrant for our May 2, 2023, Annual Town Meeting. We'd like to clarify some confusion we've seen in recent emails about the Trust and the upcoming Meeting.

1. The Trust is not a tax. It has no power to impose a tax, a surtax, or any other kind of mandatory fees. The Trust simply receives money and property from private donors and public funds such as grants. While it can also receive funds allocated by the Select Board, that would require separate approval at a Town Meeting, and there is no such request on the warrant for this Meeting. There is no warrant article asking Egremont voters to create a new tax.

2. The Trust will not build affordable housing. Affordable housing organizations like Construct, Inc., Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, Community Development Corporation of South Berkshires, and others build housing. The Trust will work with organizations like these to create affordable housing, but the Trust will not duplicate the work of any of these organizations.

3. Voting "Yes" for the Trust is not a vote about the Community Preservation Act (CPA). The CPA is not on the warrant. In recent postings, some residents connected two Town activities that are not connected. The CPA was raised by some participants at the March 11, 2023, workshop regarding the updating of the Comprehensive Plan (Master Plan) and the Open Space and Recreation Plan by the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission. Those participants expressed interest in seeing Egremont adopt the CPA as a community means to fund open space, historic preservation, affordable housing, and outdoor recreation. The consultants assisting the Town in the workshop reported this interest. The Trust, and the warrant being voted on at the May 2 Town Meeting, have nothing to do with the CPA. 

Then what is the Trust?

A. The Trust will allow Egremont to respond in a timely fashion when opportunities arise to create affordable housing, such as when a desirable property goes on the market. Currently, taking action would require approval at a town meeting, which is impractical. This is one of the principal reasons that over 100 Massachusetts municipalities have established these Trusts since the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund Law was passed in 2005. 

B. The Trust will be managed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Select Board. The Trustees will be knowledgeable about banking, real estate, real estate law, residential development, or affordable housing. One member must be a member of the Select Board.

C. The Trust will be transparent and accountable to the public. It will be subject to the Open Meeting Law. The Town Treasurer will hold trust funds. The Trust will regularly report to the Select Board and be audited annually by an independent auditor.

Affordable housing is essential to the future of Egremont. We hope this message helps you understand a Municipal Affordable Housing Trust. It is not the CPA. The Trust, not the CPA, is on the warrant. We suggest you download the Q&A, which follows below.

Doug Mishkin and Judi Goodman
Co-Chairs, Egremont Housing Committee

Letter to the Editor Berkshire Eagle: Why We're Backing an Affordable Housing Trust for Egremont (PDF)

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity Letter in Support of an Egremont Housing Trust (PDF)

Berkshire Housing Development Corporation Letter in Support of an Egremont Housing Trust (PDF)

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Letter in Support of an Egremont Housing Trust (PDF)

Community Development  Corporation of South Berkshire Letter in Support of an Egremont Housing Trust (PDF)

Construct LLC Email in Support of an Egremont Housing Trust (PDF)

Town of Egremont Housing Needs Assessment Prepared by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, December 2021 (PDF)