FV grapples with affordable housing

FALLS VILLAGE —  Falls Village Housing Trust’s efforts to build an affordable housing complex on River Road was the front-and-center issue in Falls Village in 2021. The hubbub died down, at least temporarily, when the trust’s Jandi Hanna informed the Board of Selectmen on Oct. 18 that the group had not received a state Community Development Block Grant.

Such grants were an issue in the affordable housing discussions, with questions raised about the town’s liability if a grant was  received but the housing was never built.

To comply with a state mandate for towns to create an affordable housing plan by summer 2022, a “task team” was formed, led by regional planning consultant Janell Mullen.

The group produced a report — which the selectmen accepted over the objections of some of the group members, who said there were numerous factual errors. The selectmen agreed to allow for revisions and corrections. The selectmen thanked the group for their work and then disbanded it, saying the funds were exhausted and the work completed. There were also objections to this.

— Patrick L. Sullivan