Panel Explores Challenges of Building Affordable Housing in Amherst

Report on the Town of Amherst, League of Women Voters and Amherst Municipal Housing Trust’s  Affordable Housing Forum, January 23, 2025

The League of Women Voters of Amherst, the Town of Amherst, and the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (AMAHT) sponsored an information forum and question and answer period on affordable housing at Town Hall on January 23, 2025. The forum, entitled “Building Homes and Breaking Barriers,” brought together representatives of local housing advocates who pointed out the urgent need for affordable housing and the barriers to building new units at the state and local level. The question-and- answer period was moderated by Representative Mindy Domb. The forum was livestreamed and recorded. About 25 people attended the session at Town Hall. The number of people participating on Zoom was not announced.

Allegra Clark of the AMAHT stated that the number of people seeking shelter this winter has increased by 18% over last year. According to the director of Craig’s Doors, Tim McCarthy, there are currently 28 people at the congregate shelter at the Immanuel Lutheran Church and 58 housed at the EconoLodge in Hadley. When East Gables supportive studios opened last year, there were 501 applications for the 28 units, and 121 of those applicants lived, worked, or had school children in Amherst.

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