The Winchester Planning Board approved the Special Permit required by the zoning bylaw on February 6th by unanimous vote. Having the Special Permit in hand was required for the developer, Civico/Causeway to meet the state application deadline for much-needed funding subsidies.

As the state considers funding, it is important for people at the state level --- specifically the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities --- to hear that community support for Waterfield is still strong.

The town’s Affordable Housing Trust committed $500,000 toward the project. The Trust’s letter of support said, “The Waterfield lot provides a unique opportunity to create a significant number of new rental housing units with deep affordability levels in perpetuity and to help meet Winchester’s need for a more diverse housing stock. Civico/Causeway has worked collaboratively with the town to address community concerns. For over a decade, various town planning efforts have recognized the benefits of new transit-oriented housing in our downtown and it is exciting to see these plans move closer to reality.”

After you introduce yourself, you can personalize the message by citing aspects of the project you strongly support. Some ideas below — but feel free to use your own ideas.

Waterfield development will:

• help address the town’s dire shortage of rental housing overall
• move the community forward toward the goals of the Housing Production Plan
• add life to the downtown business district after 6 p.m.
• help meet the needs of retirees who want to stay independent without a car
• will have a second-story roof terrace allowing tenants access to outdoor space
• provide an option for small households or older residents looking to downsize
• give singles right out of college an option
• allow retail and restaurant staff of downtown businesses a place to live nearby
• provide transit-oriented housing
• increase the number of units designed for handicapped individuals in town

A sample message is below.

Address the letter to Secretary Edward Augustus, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).

Email to Administrative Assistant Kate Racer at Catherine.Racer@state.ma.us with a copy to Dan Hubbard of Civico/Causeway at dan@causewaydevelopment.com

SAMPLE MESSAGE

Re: Winchester MA Waterfield Lot Development

Dear Secretary Augustus,

I am writing as a Winchester resident to express strong support for Civico/Causeway’s proposal to build a mixed income rental development on the Waterfield Lot adjacent to the town center MBTA commuter rail station. The final design includes a new 56-unit family apartment building, with 40 units below 60% AMI and 16 units at market levels. Eight of the affordable units will be available to extremely low-income households. Most of the town’s existing rental housing is at the 80% AMI level or market rate.

Completion of the Civico/Causeway proposal will benefit Winchester in multiple ways. I support how the project will…….

I urge the EOHLC to support this innovative development with the financial resources needed to move forward into construction.

Sincerely,

[name and street address, city, town, zip code]

Upcoming Housing Events in Greater Boston

February 29, 2024

The Winchester Planning Board is holding a focus group for renters as part of the process to formulate a new affordable housing production plan for the town.

March 5th, 2024, 3pm

100 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury, MA 02120

The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization is bringing their Housing Justice Campaign across the finish line in a big way by standing over 1,700 people strong!

This action will be critical in advancing the conversation around the housing crisis in our state. At this action, we will make an urgent appeal to state leadership about the following issues:

• Public housing
• Affordable homeownership and rental
• Housing assistance for individuals returning from incarceration

Temple Shir Tikvah of Winchester is organizing a group of local residents to attend this event. If you register, please also email Robin Kutner at dyerkutn@gmail.com especially if you may need a ride or would like to join the group there.