Spurred by an influx of 40B proposals for developments that include affordable housing, Wellesley has issued a request for proposals to craft a Housing Production Plan that would give the town more control over housing development destiny. The RFP is being issued through the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Housing Development Corp.
The town seeks responses by Oct. 13, and plans to make a decision on a proposal within 90 days of that deadline. Consultants can earn up to $35K for the project, which must include a comprehensive housing needs assessment for the town, development of affordable housing goals (Wellesley seeks to get on track to having at least 10% of its housing stock deemed affordable, so that it can defend against hostile 40B proposals) and an explanation of implementation strategies.
The town wants the selected consultant to finish the project within 28 weeks of being selected. So if all goes as planned, a Housing Production Plan could be in place by mid-2018.
Residents whose neighborhoods are being targeted by 40B developers are pressuring the town to move swiftly on this effort.