Arlington Finalizes Plan To Guide Equitable Housing Access

ARLINGTON, MA — The town has completed its Fair Housing Action Plan, which describes Arlington's local and regional history of housing discrimination and residential segregation and outlines specific steps to ensure equitable access to housing choice.

Since 1968, all communities that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are required by law to affirmatively further fair housing, eliminating housing discrimination and residential segregation.

The plan includes an extensive analysis of existing fair housing conditions, as well as recommendations such as increasing awareness and education pertaining to fair housing, amending policies and zoning that restricts fair housing options, and assisting members of protected classes with attaining and retaining housing.

Several plan recommendations involve an evaluation of funding resources and the process of allocating funds. The Department of Planning and Community Development will continue working and collaborating with the Arlington Housing Rights Commission, Disability Commission, LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission, Arlington Housing Authority, the Housing Corporation of Arlington, and other local groups dedicated to housing and equity to achieve the benchmarks outlined in the plan.

The Fair Housing Action Plan was developed from 2019 to 2021 by the town of Arlignton, working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and the Lawyers' Committee on Civil Rights Under Law (LCCR). The plan was funded by the Arlington Community Development Block Grant Program and through MAPC’s District Local Technical Assistance Program. In addition to data analysis, the planning team conducted interviews and focus groups with Arlington residents, town staff and committee members, Housing Authority representatives, school officials, nonprofit organizations, and social service providers. The draft plan was available for a 30-day public comment period.

Although the requirement to complete a fair housing assessment as part of HUD’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Final Rule was suspended in 2018, Arlington completed the plan to ensure ongoing compliance with the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Final Rule.

A new rule is currently under review by the Biden Administration that includes the same required planning process with local actions to eliminate barriers and improve access to housing, placing Arlington a step ahead in this process. Visit arlingtonma.gov to download the Fair Housing Action Plan.

Community members are invited to contribute to the ongoing housing discussion. The Housing Plan Implementation Committee (HPIC) is currently gathering public input for the Arlington Housing Plan to guide policies for the next five years. Share your opinion at the HPIC webpage.

Questions about the Fair Housing Action Plan or the Arlington Housing Plan may be directed to Erin Moriarty, Assistant Director, at emoriarty@town.arlington.ma.us or 781-316-3091.