🏠 Yarmouth Community Housing Committee
Addressing Yarmouth’s affordable housing crisis through local planning, Chapter 40B oversight, and housing trust management
👥 Committee Members
Source: yarmouth.ma.us — Community Housing Committee Directory
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| John Barr | Chair |
| Andrew Krauss | Vice Chair |
| Josh Trott | Clerk |
| Lee Hamilton | Member |
| Phommala Songkhors | Member |
| Myra Suchenicz | Member |
| James Saben | Planning Board Representative |
| Perry Mackenzie | Associate Member |
| Gregory Wheeler | Associate Member |
📋 What the Committee Does
Reviews and provides recommendations on Chapter 40B affordable housing developments — the state law that allows developers to bypass local zoning when a town is below 10% affordable housing.
Updates and implements the housing chapter of Yarmouth’s Local Comprehensive Plan. Sets 5-year affordable housing production goals required by state law.
Works in coordination with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to recommend allocation of Community Preservation Act funds and other dedicated housing dollars toward new units.
Proposes local bylaws and zoning changes to enable affordable housing production — including accessory dwelling unit rules, inclusionary zoning, and density bonuses.
⚠️ Active Issues (2025–2026)
The committee has been actively involved in planning for affordable housing development at the former Route 28 drive-in site — a major 12-acre parcel that could yield 100+ housing units with an affordable component.
Yarmouth is working toward reaching the state’s 10% Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) threshold. Below 10%, the town is vulnerable to Chapter 40B developments it has limited power to deny. The committee tracks SHI progress.
Following the 2024 state MBTA Communities law and ADU legislation, the committee is working with Planning to ensure Yarmouth’s ADU bylaw maximizes affordable housing production on existing residential lots.
A focus on housing for municipal workers, teachers, and seasonal hospitality employees who can’t afford to live in Yarmouth. Working with state and county partners on dedicated workforce housing funds.
📅 Meetings & Resources
Meetings are generally held on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM at Yarmouth Town Hall. Check the Agenda Center for current scheduling.
💬 Public Participation
The public may attend and comment at any Community Housing Committee meeting. Citizens concerned about housing affordability, 40B proposals, or zoning changes are especially encouraged to participate.
To learn more about affordable housing in Yarmouth or to get on the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist, contact the Yarmouth Housing Authority.
Yarmouth’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund has helped create dozens of affordable units.