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Health & Fitness

Rep. Bradley bill would allow Hingham to include more housing in 40B count

Proposed legislation would let towns like Hingham count rental units towards the state's Chapter 40B affordable housing requirement of at least 10 percent.

(State House, Boston) – State Rep. Garrett J. Bradley, D-Hingham, has filed a bill which would give towns more credit for existing rental units when computing the Chapter 40B affordable housing threshold.  The proposal is scheduled to receive a public hearing on May 14 at the State House.

Rep. Bradley said, “There are a number of housing units in my district that the state does not count towards the 10 percent threshold, even though the resident pays a monthly fee, never receives title for the property, and pays no property tax.  Towns such as Hingham should receive proper credit for those units.”

When a community does not meet the 10 percent threshold, developers have the option of circumventing the local permitting process by appealing directly to the state.

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Rep. Bradley said local towns have added hundreds of rental housing units, including a significant number of affordable units, during the past 10 years.  He pointed to the ongoing project at the Hingham Shipyard and a housing development on Route 3A in Cohasset as recent examples.

“Local residents and officials need the tools to balance the desire for more affordable housing with the potential impact such growth has on schools, roads, public safety and other town services, so that they can plan ahead,” added Bradley.

Find out what's happening in Hinghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The legislation is currently under review by the Joint Committee on Housing.

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