Mayor Barrett submits for approval the amended Haverhill Housing Production Plan
Minutes
Mayor Barrett, Councilors Michitson, Lewandowski, Diodati, Ferreira, Rogers, Sullivan, and Basiliere, along with Council President Jordan, participated in a discussion of the updated housing plan, which incorporates feedback from prior City Council and subcommittee meetings and support from the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. Mayor Barrett noted the plan provides Chapter 40B protection, supports funding and grant eligibility, and meets state requirements, while MVPC’s Ian Burns reported the city is currently 52 affordable units short of the 10% threshold. Councilors and staff discussed the need for an implementation strategy, infrastructure considerations, housing trust funds, senior housing initiatives, and the importance of state and federal funding, emphasizing that the plan is aspirational in nature and that partnerships and homeownership opportunities are key to advancing affordable housing and generational wealth.
Motion by Councilor Ferreira to approve the Housing Production Plan with the condition for a
yearly progress update on the plan, Second by Councilor Sullivan
PASSED – Yeas 10, Nays 0, Absent 1 (McGonagle)
- Letter from Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, January 9, 2026, PDF, two pages, opens in a new tab
- Letter from Jacki Byerley, Planning Director, December 11, 2025, PDF, one page, opens in a new tab
- Haverhill, MA Housing Production Plan 2026–2031, PDF, 42 pages, opens in a new tab
- City of Haverhill 2025–2030 Housing Production Plan, draft of September 11, 2025, PDF, 20 pages, opens in a new tab
- City Council, May 6, 2025, which sent the plan to the Planning and Development Committee as Doc. 60
- Minutes of the Planning and Development Committee Meeting, June 16, 2025