Housing Partnership defers trust fund review, pursues alternate governance.
Housing Partnership defers detailed review of trust fund materials pending fuller attendance. Vice-Chair Hannah Shaffer, joined by members Richard Abuza, Christine Bryson, Ben Wood, and Gordon Shaw, advanced discussion of alternative governance structures to reduce delays tied to city
Housing Partnership · Meeting of July 6, 2026
NORTHAMPTON — Housing Partnership defers detailed review of trust fund materials pending fuller attendance. Vice-Chair Hannah Shaffer, joined by members Richard Abuza, Christine Bryson, Ben Wood, and Gordon Shaw, advanced discussion of alternative governance structures to reduce delays tied to city representation requirements. Ben Wood reported the state Supreme Judicial Court struck down the rent control referendum as unconstitutional due to a religious institution exemption, removing it from the fall ballot; housing advocates will now push the legislature for compromise legislation allowing individual cities and towns to establish rent control independently.
The group approved finalized brochure copy for printing 200 copies and confirmed the Housing Partnership's eligibility to apply for Community Preservation Act funding on projects directly connected to affordable housing creation or preservation.
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Source: the Housing Partnership meeting of July 6, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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