Kingston must create 254 additional affordable housing units to reach the state-mandated 10% threshold, according to a draft Five-Year Housing Production Plan (HPP) presented to the Affordable Housing Trust on May 7. Jason D. Roa, a housing planner with the Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC), informed the Trust that while the town currently has 272 units on its Subsidized Housing Inventory, its 5.18% standing leaves it vulnerable to Chapter 40B overrides. Roa recommended a production target of 450 to 550 total units by 2035 to stay ahead of census-driven shifts in the target numbers, with a priority on one- and two-bedroom units to serve the town’s growing senior population.

The proposed plan emphasizes "Missing Middle" housing, such as duplexes, cottage clusters, and accessory dwelling units, as well as the adaptive reuse of town-owned assets like the former Maple Street Fire Station. Roa noted that no town will solve all their housing needs with just one entity, stressing that the HPP must serve as a collaborative roadmap involving the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Board of Selectmen. Beyond simple production, the plan outlines five strategic goals including preservation of existing units and zoning reforms to enable more diverse housing types.

One such reform discussed was Chapter 40Y, a new state zoning tool for "starter homes" that has yet to be adopted by any Massachusetts municipality. Roa explained that 40Y focuses on smaller, single-family homes under 1,800 square feet on modest lots, with 10% of the units reserved for those earning up to 110% of the Area Median Income. Member Sheila expressed support for the variety, noting, People think we're almost there because of the apartment complex in town, but we do not need just all apartments. This is a great opportunity to show the different resources and options we have. One board member questioned whether the market-rate units in a 40Y project would truly remain attainable, asking, If you just say they have to be a certain size but you can get as much as you want for them, I'm not sure if that hits the goal. Roa clarified that the smaller footprints and higher density of four units per acre are designed to make these homes inherently more affordable than traditional "McMansions."

The Trust’s primary concern centered on the "local capacity" required to ensure the plan does not languish. Chair Gene voiced fears of repeating past failures, stating, My concern is once you walk away, we've got this document and I don't want to see it put on a shelf. That's what happened with our Master Plan. Roa’s top recommendation to prevent this is the hiring of part-time staff support for the Housing Trust, arguing that relying solely on volunteers is unsustainable for long-term implementation.

However, securing funding for new personnel may prove difficult as Kingston navigates a strict 3% budget growth cap and a looming Proposition 2 ½ tax override risk driven by rising insurance and capital costs. Gene acknowledged this fiscal reality, saying, I am totally convinced you have to have someone here in constant conversation with the Town Planner, Planning Board, and Selectmen to keep people focused. But I'm not sure how we convince the town to fund that when budgets are stretched.

To improve coordination without immediate spending, the Trust discussed forming a "Housing Roundtable" to keep various boards aligned. Sheila lamented that while projects like the Maple Street Fire Station are frequently discussed, it's hard to bring to fruition. Gene agreed, noting that the Trust often feels excluded from broader town conversations: We sometimes feel like we're working alone. We aren't kept in the loop on grants being written for the fire station. A roundtable would keep us knowledgeable so we could be involved in the conversations. The HPP is scheduled for presentation to the Planning Board on May 11 and the Select Board on May 19 before its final submission to the state in June.