Methuen, MA – Mayor D.J. Beauregard today announced that the City of Methuen has been designated a Housing Choice Community by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. Methuen is one of 43 municipalities across Massachusetts recognized this year for leadership in housing production and planning.
This five-year designation reflects the City’s recent efforts to expand housing options and qualifies Methuen to apply for the Housing Choice Grant Program, a competitive capital grant program available exclusively to Housing Choice Communities through the state’s Community One Stop for Growth. The designation also allows Methuen to receive enhanced consideration, priority, or other benefits in nine additional state programs focused on infrastructure, economic development, and planning.
“To qualify for the Housing Choice designation, communities must meet specific benchmarks for housing production and demonstrate progress in implementing local policies and best practices,” said Mayor Beauregard. “This recognition affirms that Methuen is doing its part – and now we’re better positioned to bring additional resources home to support continued progress.”
Methuen joins 42 other new designees this year, alongside 34 municipalities with active Housing Choice designations. Together, these communities have produced more than 77% of all new housing built in Massachusetts over the past five years.
Governor Maura Healey emphasized the role of local action in addressing the housing crisis in a statement accompanying the state’s announcement. “The high cost of housing is one of the greatest challenges facing Massachusetts residents, and communities across the state are stepping up to meet it,” said Governor Healey. “It’s great that these 43 cities and towns are doing the work to create more reasonably priced homes, support their residents and lead by example. The Housing Choice designation is one of the many ways we partner with communities to help them build housing and lower costs for us all.”
For more information on the Housing Choice Initiative, visit mass.gov/orgs/housing-choice-initiative.