THA Community Outreach

Posted on: September 8, 2018 - 1:29pm

The Townsend Housing Authority Welcomes You

New THA Logo

To An Open Forum On The Veterans’ Housing Project

Friday, October 19, 2018

Townsend Senior Center 12 Noon

THA looking at maps of potential sites

Veterans’ Housing Project History

The Townsend Housing Authority is looking to increase our affordable housing units to remain congruent with Townsend’s Housing Production Plan approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development in 2015. We have been looking for opportunities for the last 3 years.

• The Town of Townsend owns land that was deeded to the Town “to assist the needy” formally known as the Atwood Farm. This land was subsequently utilized and developed into a major project, currently in its third phase, that the THA has been working on since its inception.

 • Phase one of this endeavor was a 50 Unit facility for residents age 62 and older or disabled named Atwood Acres built with 40B funding and is currently run by a management company.

 • The second phase, Townsend Woods, consists of 36 units solely for senior housing located behind the previously built facility also built with 40B funding and run by the same management company.

• At this present time, we are earmarking an approximate 9-acre parcel of land that would be the 3rd phase

• In our 2015 approved Housing Production Plan, the THA had proposed to increase the affordable housing inventory of Townsend by building a facility to house low-income veterans and their families.

• Therefore, plans were executed to search for a partner who would be able to assist the THA with securing funds and project manage for the board.

• State Representative Sheila Harrington was asked to assist the THA with her knowledge and expertise to allow for the THA to tap into re-sources that could be available for the project.

State REp and Chair in front of proposed mapped location

Project Status

 • At this present time, we are earmarking an approximate 9-acre parcel of land that would be the 3rd phase

• Our current vision is to develop a multi-unit main building designed for ag-ing in place, low-income housing for veterans that would also provide space for connected services.

 • We are also looking at combining this facility with cluster townhouse type units earmarked for families of Veterans who need low-income housing and services.

• We are also looking to partner with several state and federal agencies to address other necessary services like transportation to medical resources and on-site invisible injury assistance. Currently, the housing authority has asked several agencies to come to open meetings and propose what they would be able to assist us with.

• Through all these presentations, along with guidance from Representative Harrington and our liaison from the Board of Selectmen Sue Lisio, the THA has made a decision to possibly work with Soldier On who first pitched their ideas with the THA sometime early summer of this year.

• Soldier On has made a proposal that fits all the necessary criteria for this proposed project and even has exceeded our expectations.

• Our first community outreach will be on Friday, October 19th at the Senior Center meeting room starting at 12:00 noon to 2:00PM with a presentation, THA meeting, followed by open questions and answers.