Housing Production Plan

Notice: Check out the Draft City of Worcester Housing Needs Assessment. This document provides information about the City's demographics, population projections, housing needs, and challenges and opportunities for improving Worcester's housing stock.

Save the Date

Second Housing Production Plan Virtual Community Forum - Monday, December 9 - 5:30 p.m. - Zoom Link
A community forum for public input on draft goals and strategies for Worcester's Housing Production Plan.

HPP Community Forum Presentation Slides

What is a Housing Production Plan?

In Massachusetts, the Housing Production Plan (HPP) is a plan that helps a community better understand local housing needs and demand, development constraints and opportunities and a vision for future affordable housing. The HPP is a proactive strategy that focuses on developing and preserving homes that meet the requirements of the state's affordable housing law, commonly known as Chapter 40B. Learn more about Worcester’s HPP here: What is Worcester's Housing Production Plan? StoryMap

An HPP is approved by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) for a five-year period and includes:

Data: an assessment of housing needs and demand based on current data, population and development trends and regional growth factors.
Limitations: an analysis of physical and regulatory development constraints.
Goals: housing goals, including an annual numeric housing production target.
Strategies: implementation strategies to work towards goals.

The City of Worcester's HPP is possible through an FY2023 Housing Choice Grant Program award. It is part of Worcester's commitment to plan for and foster the production of housing that meets the needs of current and future residents. In addition, the consultant team drafting the HPP will also provide advisory support in developing an action plan for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees.

Check out the HPP StoryMaps to learn more about the plan, explore Worcester's existing housing stock, and give input: Housing Production Plan StoryMaps

What is the Anticipated HPP Timeline?

HPP Phase	Timeframe
Housing Needs Assessment	May '24 - September '24
Community Engagement	September '24 - December '24
Goals & Strategies	December '24 - January '25
Final Plan	January '25 - March '25

Housing Thresholds Under Massachusetts' Chapter 40B

Housing Production Plans create a strategy for municipalities to meet their affordable housing needs consistent with the Chapter 40B statute and regulation. While the City of Worcester currently exceeds the state's goal that 10 percent of year-round housing stock be considered subsidized housing - otherwise known as the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) threshold - the HPP will be tailored to the City's needs to promote policies that further housing stability, supply and subsidy.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has More Information on Housing Production Plans.