Affordable Housing group learns of foreclosures, assesses direction

SALISBURY — The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee met in full Monday, Feb. 23, to assess where the various subcommittees are.

“Where are we going?� asked chairman Rod Lankler. “What are we doing right, what are we doing wrong? Should we issue a preliminary report?�

Jeanne Bronk got the discussion started by asking about accessory apartments, and how, even with new regulations designed to make the application process simpler, the town can encourage the creation of such units — and ensure the rents remain within the definition of “affordable�.

“You can’t,� said Bill Morrill to the last question. “It would be quite a venture for the town to try and limit rents.�

Jocelyn Ayer of the Northwestern Connecticut Regional Planning Collaborative said that in her experience accessory apartments are more affordable than other rentals. “Usually the landlord knows the tenant, and the tenants stay longer.�

She added that some towns in Massachusetts have tried adding deed restrictions on properties dealing with accessory apartments.

She also said the collaborative is working on a guide for homeowners interested in exploring the option.

Rachel Bonhotel said she believed there were only a handful of accessory apartments added to Salisbury’s housing stock in the last decade. “Maybe a dozen, tops.�

Marshall Schwartz chimed in, “Maybe that’s because there is no incentive� to create such units. Lankler noted that the zoning change that makes it easier to apply for accessory apartments does not say anything about affordable housing, and Geoff Rossano wondered if accessory apartments, “by their nature, are affordable and do not require a subsidy.�

Which took the committee in another direction, wondering exactly how many rental units (and vacancies) currently exist in the town.

Lisa Hoage said she noticed two apartments for rent — at $800 a month — in The Lakeville Journal week after week, and said she thought they were perhaps overpriced.

And Morrill stated that after consulting with the assessor’s office he figured there are around 60 apartments in 10 or 11 buildings in Salisbury.

John Harney Jr., a real estate agent, brought the committee troublesome news. “Brokers are seeing a spike in foreclosures. While we’re here doing this, all of a sudden 10 families in Salisbury have received notices of foreclosure.�

He said local brokers are working to help the families, referring them to attorneys and town social workers, but added, “This seems like more of an immediate threat.�

Selectman Bob Riva, speaking from the audience, said, “This could take us backwards from where we want to go, but I am unsure of what, if anything, the town should do.

“The Northwest Corner is isolated, but this is a factor that is not going to stay away from us.�

Lankler asked the committee, “Does this fit into our agenda?�

Morrill replied, “It’s not in this committee’s charge� and floated the idea of private citizens setting up a fund to assist families in foreclosure.

Other suggestions followed: creating an entity to buy the properties at foreclosure prices and then sell or rent them, even back to the current owners.

Or referring the question to the selectmen, as Hoage said. “This needs to be handled on a whole different level.�

Lankler then steered the group back to the original questions. “How’s our direction? Are we happy?�

Morrill said the committee “probably needs to winnow things down, focus on the possibilities that show promise. With three months to go, we need proposals with meat to them.�

Selectman Jim Dresser recommended the committee follow these guidelines when evaluating a proposal: One, is the idea something that has worked elsewhere?

Two, is there a tax question? 

And three, “This [proposal] is a no-brainer we should have been doing years ago.�

He went on (his voice croaking a bit from laryngitis), “The more specific we are the better. We need a plan to put together 200 units.�

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