Plan Overview

The purpose of a Housing Production Plan (HPP) is to identify and address the affordable housing needs of low- or moderate-income people. A state-regulated plan that requires approval by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), the HPP focuses on developing and preserving homes that meet the requirements of the state’s affordable housing law, commonly known as Chapter 40B. Nantucket can also use the HPP process to identify and set goals for housing to meet many other needs, such as homes for year-round residents, workforce housing, accessible homes for people with disabilities, or homes for municipal employees.

The Town is updating its 2021 HPP to recognize what has been done and what still needs to be done to provide affordable housing options on the island. Despite the Town’s efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing in recent years, Nantucket struggles to meet the community’s wide-ranging needs. The challenges include demand from seasonal or vacation homebuyers and the high prices they are willing to pay, along with infrastructure and regulatory constraints, the limited supply of land available for housing development, neighborhood opposition, and other factors.

Toward these ends, the Town has engaged Barrett Planning Group to conduct demographic, housing, and market research; engage Nantucket residents and others in developing the HPP; identify housing types needed in Nantucket; and consider various approaches to secure affordable housing for all residents. The HPP requires approval from the Planning Board and Select Board before it can be submitted to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).