Housing Production Plan Forum & Survey
Community Center - 162 W. Union St
January 20th, 2026
7-8PM
The Planning Department cordially invites you to join us on January 20, 2026, from 7:00–8:00 PM at the Community Center for a presentation and interactive public forum on the Town’s Housing Production Plan (HPP) update, presented by JM Goldson. A survey/questionnaire will also be made available for those unable to attend the meeting. This presentation will be recorded and uploaded to watch later on WACA-TV's YouTube Channel as well for those unable to attend.
Ashland is currently working with JM Goldson to update our Housing Production Plan (HPP), which must be renewed prior to its expiration in May 2026. The HPP is an important planning tool that helps Ashland identify local housing needs, set production goals, and outline strategies to meet those needs in a manner consistent with community values and environmental priorities.
Maintaining a state-certified HPP allows the town to retain Safe Harbor status, even if our Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) remains below the 10% threshold. This status provides the Town with greater local control over comprehensive permit (Chapter 40B) applications. In addition, an active HPP enables Ashland to plan strategically for future affordable housing, work toward maintaining an SHI above 10%, and reduce the risk of unwanted 40B projects. If the HPP were to expire, the town would also lose eligibility for certain housing-related funding opportunities.
Under a state-approved HPP, a community may achieve Safe Harbor through either incremental production or incremental growth. For Ashland, approving housing equal to 0.5% of the housing stock would result in one year of Safe Harbor, while 1% (approximately 75 units) would provide two years.
The Housing Production Plan process is largely grounded in the goals and objectives of the town’s new Comprehensive Plan. The updated HPP will align with those goals and provide more detailed, actionable strategies to guide Ashland’s housing efforts moving forward.
To watch the draft Housing Needs Assessment presentation to the Planning Board on January 8, 2026 please go here. The presentation is from minutes 16:00-43:32.
For more information on the Housing Production Plan, please visit the Town’s website here.