HCC 2020 Designation appHousing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 1 of 13
To complete this application, you will need information about your community's total year -
round housing units from the 2010 Census and the cumulative net increase in year -round
housing units from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2019 (referred to below as
"additional" units). BUILDING PERMIT data from the US Census Building Permit Survey is the
primary source of information about additional units. You will need to have the application
signed and certified by your local Building Official as to the accura cy of this information. The
Executive Officer (Mayor or Chair of Board of Selectmen) must also sign the application.
You may save your work and return to the form. IF you use the "Save and Resume" feature,
please note that uploaded files will not be saved. Therefore, gather and keep files needed for
uploading, and only upload them when you are planning to hit the "SUBMIT" button at the
END of the form. Please do not submit your form without the uploaded signatures.
If you are qualifying based on an increase of 300 units/3% increase in year round housing
stock, you will also need information about Best Practices related to housing that your
community has established. Please be sure to upload all documentation needed to
demonstrate these best practices.
Applications are DUE no later than 3:00 p.m. on March 23, 2020.
If you have questions, contact Housing Choice Program Director Chris Kluchman
at chris.kluchman@mass.gov or 617-573-1167.
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 2 of 13
Housing Choice Designation Application 2020
1. Submitting Municipality*
Choose your City or Town from the drop down list
2. Contact Name*
First Name*
Last Name*
2.a. Contact Mailing Address*
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State
ZIP Code
2.b. Contact Email*
2.c. Phone*
3. Was your City/Town designated a Housing Choice Community in 2018?*
Yes No
4. Does your community have any ACTIVE housing restrictions such as a moratorium or
limitations on the number of new housing units? *
Yes No
Zoning moratorium makes your community INELIGIBLE for Housing Choice designation
If the answer to Question 4. Is Yes:
4.a. If your community has an ordinance or bylaw that restrict or limit the number
of new housing units, please provide a copy here.
5. Has your community conducted a Self Evaluation or Transition Plan related to Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA)? *
Yes No
More information on ADA requirements for local governments can be found at the Housing
Choice Web pages
IF the answer to Question 5 is No:
5.a. If your answer to #5 was NO, is your community willing to enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Massachusetts Office of
Disability and DHCD to conduct such study within the next five (5) years?
Yes No
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 3 of 13
Information about your Community's Housing Production
The Housing Choice designation is based on PRODUCTION of new year-round housing units over
the last 5 years. The threshold for qualifications is a 5% increase (or 500 units) or a 3% increase
(or 300 units) and best practices. This section describes how to calculate and demonstrate the
increase in new year-round housing units.
(1) Look up your community's 2010 year-round housing units (this is also the denominator
used in the Subsidized Housing Inventory or SHI). The Housing Choice web site has a list of 2010
year-round units for all communities here
(2) Calculate the number of additional year -round housing units over the last 5 years using the
number of BUILDING PERMITS issued to create the ratio of additional units added over the l ast
5 years, excluding housing units that replace demolished units at a 1 to 1 ratio. Demolition of
one single family unit and replacement with one single family unit is an increase of 0 units. If a
demolished single family home is replaced with 3 units, the net increase is +2 units. If building
permits for new units replacing a demolished home cannot be easily excluded from your data,
please provide data about the number of demolition permits and total units demolished.
(3) Data Sources: BUILDING PERMITS are the measurement of additional year-round housing
units for this calculation. Your building official should have a record of new residential building
permits for year-round housing issued between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. If your
building official does not have ready access for this information, another source for this building
permit data is information submitted by your community to the U.S. Census in the Building
Permit Survey. A copy of the Building Permit Survey for all cities and towns in Massachusetts for
2015 through 2018 can be found on the Housing Choice web site here. 2010 Building Permit
Survey data is not yet available, and therefore 2019 building permit data must be provided
from your building official. If your community has reason to believe the current Census Building
Permit Survey data does not fully reflect the number of building permits in your community,
there is a place in the application to add comments and explanation.
6. Provide your community's 2010 year-round housing units*
2010 year-round housing units are available for download: https://www.mass.gov/how-
to/apply-for-the-housing-choice-designation
7. Number of net new units that were issued building permits between January 1, 2015 and
December 31, 2019*
Note: please see the above description of qualifying net new units
8. Here is the percent increase in year-round housing units (net new units/2010 units*100)*
Note: this field calculates the % increase automatically. Use this or the number of units over the
last 5 years in Question 7 to complete Question 9 below.
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 4 of 13
9. Housing Choice Designation.
Based on the increase in housing units in Question 8 OR the number o f units produced over
the last 5 years in Question 7, select the appropriate designation in Question 9.a. If you do not
meet the numeric standard to qualify to be a Housing Choice Community, visit the Housing
Choice Web pages and review the many Technical Assistance opportunities available from
many public, quasi-public and advocacy organizations. You might also talk to your Regional
Planning Agency about what steps your community might take to increase housing production
so that you may qualify for the designation in the future.
9.a. Choose the Housing Choice Designation for your community based on Questions 6, 7 and
8*
5% increase OR 500+ units over the last five years 3% increase OR 300+ units over the
last five years
10. UPLOAD documentation of the building permits issued over the last 5 years. Please upload
.pdfs of printouts from your building permit software, excel spreadsheets, or other information
about building permits in your community. Remember, even if you use Building Permit Survey
data for 2015 through 2018, you must provide your community's building permit information
for 2019.
10.a. Upload building permit data*
You must provide detailed back up for all net new units
10.b. Use the space below to provide information about additional housing units in your
community that you believe are not captured by the Building Permit
Survey
Here you can let us know about the reasons why the Building Permit Survey does not accurately
reflect housing production in your community
11. Housing Choice Best Practices
If your community has over 5% increase in housing production or 500 or more net new
housing units, please go through all 14 of the best practices below and indicate by checking
the box for each of your community's BEST PRACTICES to indicate which ones your City/Town
has implemented.. You do not have to submit or upload any
documentation. While communities with 5%/500 growth in housing units do not need to
demonstrate a certain number of best practices to qualify for Housing Choice designation, the
best practices are a part of evaluating grant proposals.
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 5 of 13
For Production and Planning (3%/300) which Housing Best Practices do you have?
You MUST select at least 7 of the 14 best practices below to qualify for the 3%/300
unit category.
TWO Best Practices MUST be in the affordable category.
You MUST upload documentation to demonstrate achievement of at least 7 of the 14
Best Practices that you select below.
NOTE: when uploading required documentation, only one file per upload box is allowed,
please scan documents into a SINGLE FILE for uploading to each best practice.
11.a. Allow for Multifamily development in local zoning
Have at least one zoning district that allows multifamily by right (in addition to 40R
districts) where there is capacity to add units and that allows for family housing that is not age
restricted and does not restrict units with more than 2 bedrooms (or demonstrate a pattern of
approving such developments over the last 5 years)
11.a. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.a. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.a.
11.b Have Inclusionary Zoning [Affordable Category]
Have inclusionary zoning that provides for reasonable density increases so that housing is
not unreasonably precluded
11.b. Instructions. Provide a copy of the section in your current zoning ordinance or by-law that
addresses inclusionary zoning with density increases for provision of affordable units
11.b. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.b. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.b.
11.c. Have an approved 40R Smart Growth or Starter Home zoning district [Affordable
Category]
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 6 of 13
Have adopted a 40R Smart Growth or Starter Homes zoning district
11.c. Instructions. Provide a copy of the section in your current zoning ordinance or by-law that
implements MGL chapter 40R Smart Growth or Starter Homes provisions
11.c. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.c. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.c.
11.d. Have Zoning that allows mixed use or cluster developments
Have zoning that allows for mixed use, or cluster developments by right (or can
demonstrate a consistent pattern over the last 5 years of approving such developments )
11.d. Instructions. Provide a copy of the section in your current zoning ordinance or by-law that
allows mixed use or cluster development by right. If you believe your community has
demonstrated a consistent pattern over the last 5 years of approving such developments,
please provide a table with the following information: project address/name, number of units,
action taken (approve, deny, withdrawn, appealed) and date of final board decision. If there are
questions about these projects program staff may follow up for additional information.
11.d. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.d. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.d.
11.e. Allow Accessory Dwelling Units
Have zoning that allows for Accessory Dwelling units (ADUs) by right (or can demonstrate a
consistent pattern over the last 5 years of approving ADUs)
11.e. Instructions. Provide a copy of the section in your current zoning ordinance or by-law that
allows ADUs by right. If you believe your community has demonstrated a consistent pattern
over the last 5 years of approving ADUs, please provide a table with the following information:
project address/name, number of units, action taken (approve, deny, withdrawn, appealed) and
date of final board decision. If there are questions about these projects program staff may
follow up for additional information.
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 7 of 13
11.e. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.e. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.e
11.f. Designated local resouces for housing [Affordable Category]
Designated local resources for housing such as establishe an Affordable housing Trust,
donated land, or spent substantial Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for community
housing over the last 5 years.
11.f. Instructions: Provide a narrative description of designated local resources and upload
documentation including but not limited to (1) meeting minutes from meetings of Board of
Selectmen, Town Meeting or Affordable Housing Trust board awarding funding, designating
CPA funds for Community Housing projects and a list of funds spent for community housing
projects including number of units produced if applicable, (2) copy of deed conveying property
for nominal value, or for reduced value if accompanied by evidence of value o r approving
conveyance of land for nominal or reduced value; (3) award letter or other documentation of
funding award, or (4) copy of Affordable Housing Trust charter.
11.f. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best P ractices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.f. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.f
11.g. Reduction in Parking requirements for Multi-Family units
Have reduced parking requirement(s) for Multi-Family units within the last 5 years, or
require no more than 1 parking space per unit for multifamily units .
11.g. Instructions. Provide a copy of the section of your current zoning ordinance or by-law
that demonstrates no more than one (1) parking space per unit for multi-family developments
and/or describe the reduction in parking requirements that occurred within the last 5 years.
11.g. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 8 of 13
11.g. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.g
11.h. Training for Land Use Board Members
Board members received training in the last 5 years
Requires evidence that a MAJORITY of a Board received training
11.h. Instructions. Provide evidence of education and training for a majority of members on
a land use board (Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Select Board and/or City Council)
from Citizens Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC), Massachusetts Housing Partnership's
(MHP's) Housing Institute or Urban Land Institute's (ULI's) Urban Plan Public Leadership
Institute over the last 5 years. Comparable training will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
11.h. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.h. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.h
11.i. Achieved 10% or greater in your Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) [Affordable Category].
Have units currently eligible for inclusion in the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) that
equal or exceed 10% of total year-round housing stock, according to the DHCD subsidized
housing inventory
NEW FOR 2020 DESIGNATION: SHI units that are added after Housing Appeals Court (HAC)
overturned a local denial or overturned local conditions will NOT COUNT towards your
community's SHI totals.
11.i. Instructions. Provide a copy of most recently published SHI for your community. If you
believe there are additional units eligible for inclusion on the SHI, but not reflected on the SHI,
documentation of those units must meet the standards applied by DHCD under its regulations
and guidelines in determining whether units are SHI-eligible. NEW FOR 2020
DESIGNATION: SHI units that are added after Housing Appeals Court (HAC) overturned a local
denial or overturned local conditions will NOT COUNT towards your community's SHI totals.
11.i. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 9 of 13
11.i. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.i.
11.j. Have increased your community's SHI by at least 2.5% points in the last 5 years [Affordable
Category]
Have increased units currently eligible for inclusion in the Subsidized Housing Inventory
(SHI) by at least 2.5%, according to the DHCD subsidized housing inventory
NEW FOR 2020 DESIGNATION: SHI units that are added after Housing Appeals Court (HAC)
overturned a local denial or overturned local conditions will NOT COUNT towards your
community's SHI totals.
11.j. Instructions. Provide a copy of most recently published SHI for your community showing
at least a 2.5% increase over the last 5 years. If you believe there are additional units eligible for
inclusion on the SHI, but not reflected on the SHI, documentation of those units must meet the
standards applied by DHCD under its regulations and guidelines in determining wheth er units
are SHI-eligible. NEW FOR 2020 DESIGNATION: SHI units that are added after Housing Appeals
Court (HAC) overturned a local denial or overturned local conditions will NOT COUNT towards
this best practice.
11.j. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.j. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.j.
11.k. Community Compact with Housing Best Practice
Have applied for (or received) a Community Compact with a housing best practice
11.k. Instructions. Provide a copy of Community Compact application/award showing the
Housing Best Practice. Here is the web page for the Community Compact
Cabinet: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/community-compact-cabinet
11.k. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Bes t Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.k. Narrative
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 10 of 13
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.k.
11.l. Participate in Housing related incentive programs [Affordable Category]
Participate in the Housing Development Incentive Program, have adopted an Urban Center
Housing Tax Increment Financing district, approved District Improvement Financing (DIF)
related to housing, have adopted an Urban Renewal Plan that includes a significant Housing
element
11.l. Instructions. If you are participating in the HDIP program, provide a copy of a DHCD -
approved Housing Development Tax Increment Exemption Agreement, together with copies of
any award letters for state Housing Development Tax Credits for specific projects. If you have
adopted an UCH-TIF district, provide a copy of your DHCD-approved urban center housing tax
increment financing plan, together with copies of any approved UCH-TIF agreements. For Urban
Renewal Plans, submit evidence of substantial housing element(s) in the plan.
11.l. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.l. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.l
11.m. Have adopted local option property tax mechanisms that promote housing [Affordable
Category]
Have adopted local option property tax relief programs either as provided for by statute
(MGL c. 59 section 5) or through a home rule petition
11.m. Instructions. Provide a copy of local bylaw or ordinance establishing the tax relief
program.
11.m. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.m. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.m
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 11 of 13
11.n. Certified Housing Production Plan
Have a CERTIFIED Housing Production Plan which means that you have an DHCD approved
Housing Production Plan and have subsequently seen an increase of 0.5% or 1% in year round
housing units
11.n. Instructions. There is a difference between a CERTIFIED Housing Production Plan (HPP)
and one that has been APPROVED by DHCD. A certified HPP which means that you have an
DHCD approved Housing Production Plan and have subsequently seen an increase of 0.5% or
1% in your year round housing units (see https://www.mass.gov/service-details/chapter-40-b-
housing-production-plan for more information). Provide a copy of your current Housing
Production Plan and the DHCD certification letter.
11.n. Upload file here
NOTE: For 3%/300 cities and towns, if you choose this Best Practices you MUST submit
documentation here
11.n. Narrative
Provide additional narrative here for question 11.n
12. Use the space below to provide additional details about your community's Best
Practices
Provide additional narrative here if needed
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 12 of 13
Certification and Signatures
The Housing Choice application for Designation requires the signatures of both the Local
Building Official and the Chief Executive Officer (Mayor, Board of Selectmen Chair or City/Town
Manager). Please print this page, get signatures, scan and upload the signed pages below.
13. Certification by local building official
By signing below, I certify that the building permit data for additional year-round housing units
over the last 5 years is true and accurate. The data includes only additional year-round housing
units, where demolished units were replaced 1:1 the new building permits are not included (or
if permits for units replacing tear downs cannot be excluded from other additional unit permit s,
then demolition data is being provided); and conversions of commercial property to housing
are included (such as mill conversions).
_____________________________________________________________________
Sign on the line above, enter name and title below
13.a. Local Building Official Name*
First Name*
Last Name*
13.b. Local Building Official Email*
The Housing Choice application for Designation requires the signatures of both the Local
Building Official and the Chief Executive Officer (Mayor, Board of Selectmen Chair o r City/Town
Manager). Please print this page, get signatures, scan and upload the signed pages below.
14. Certification by Chief Executive Officer
_____________________________________________________________________
Sign on the line above, enter name and title below
14.a. City/Town Chief Executive Officer Name*
Housing Choice Designation – 2020 Application Page 13 of 13
First Name*
Last Name*
14.b. City/Town Chief Executive Officer Email*
14.c. City/Town Chief Executive Officer Mailing Address*
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State
ZIP Code
15. Upload Signature Page (s) here
Please print this page, get required signatures and upload the file here