24.001 - Housing Needs Assessment

The desired outcomes of the Housing Needs Assessment include, in no particular order:

• An inventory of existing conditions and range of residential units in the Town of Bennett and a review and summary of pertinent background information;
• Updated demographic, economic, housing inventory characteristics and occupancies for the Town of Bennett;
• Housing needs for the existing and anticipated workforce not currently being supplied by the market;
• Evaluation of the Town of Bennett Comprehensive Plan 2021 and the Community Development Strategic Plan relative to present-day housing needs;
• Evaluation of existing density levels and the potential for densifying with affordable and or attainable housing;
• Identify an appropriate mixture of residential unit types;
• Suggest suitable locations within the Town of Bennett for affordable and or attainable housing;
• Conducting inclusive and diverse public engagement of the Bennett community;
• Proposing tools, strategies, and recommendations for developing affordable housing that meets the needs of our community and for preserving the existing stock of moderately-priced housing units;
• Proposing regulatory changes that will incentivize private developers to build affordable housing;
• Suggestions of strategies for the creation and implementation of housing programs and development of properties to meet the gaps identified in the study;
• Identification of potential revenue funding sources for operational subsidies for housing programs and revenue stream for the production of units to meet area’s unmet housing needs.