Essex is inviting the public to participate in an upcoming webinar hosted by the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30. The session will focus on housing affordability in the community.
This important event will provide an overview of the current state of housing in Essex, featuring key data on affordability, recent development trends, and shifting demographic patterns. With housing costs on the rise, this webinar is part of the town’s first ever housing production plan, “Welcome Home Essex,” an effort to address the challenges and opportunities related to affordable housing.
The presentation, in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), will highlight detailed findings on housing availability, income disparities, and local development constraints, including how these factors intersect with Essex’s unique character and infrastructure challenges. MAPC staff will provide insights into how these trends impact residents and explore potential pathways forward to ensure that Essex can be affordable for people at all stages of their life.
Public input is a vital part of this process, and attendees will have the opportunity to share their perspectives and ask questions.
“Essex is at a critical juncture in addressing housing affordability – we know people are struggling with housing costs” said Ruth Pereen, Chair of the Board of Selectmen. “As a community we need to understand the data, identify the challenges, and move forward to create a more affordable town for everyone.”
The webinar is free and open to the public, and all residents are encouraged to attend. Registration is required and can be completed at mapc.ma/essexhousingwebinar. Join the conversation and help shape the future of housing in Essex!
Welcome Home Essex will meet all the requirements of a housing production plan, which helps communities understand their housing needs, set housing goals, and identify strategies to achieve them. Theprocess is meant to engage people from all over Essex, especially groups that have been historically underrepresented. This includes people of color, low-income residents, renters, and others.
