In Spring 2024, the Town of Amherst, Massachusetts, hired Barrett Planning Group to create a new Housing Production Plan that exceeds state requirements and reflects the unique dynamics of Amherst’s housing market. This Plan serves as a roadmap for future housing development, preservation, programs, and policy decisions. Over the past year, we collaborated with Town staff and the Affordable Housing Trust to develop a comprehensive, data-driven plan that includes a Housing Needs Analysis, an assessment of development barriers and opportunities, and clearly defined goals and feasible strategies.
Amherst’s last Housing Production Plan was adopted in 2013 and was followed shortly thereafter by a housing market analysis. Since then, the Town has made meaningful strides to support both market-rate and affordable housing. To build on that momentum, we collaborated with Town staff over the past year to develop a new, comprehensive, data-rich plan.
Our analysis drew from public and private data sources to assess Amherst’s current housing stock and housing market conditions and forecast future needs. We explored housing challenges faced by a wide range of residents: college students and employees, seniors, young families, people with disabilities, immigrants, and essential workers. We also examined zoning policies, development barriers, time-to-occupancy metrics, and homelessness data from local service providers.
Community input played a vital role. We held public forums, conducted a town-wide online survey, and facilitated focus groups with key stakeholders, including human service providers, educators, business leaders, and student advocates. Their insights shaped the housing goals and strategies outlined in the plan, which address a variety of housing types—from single-family homes and rentals to condos and senior living options. We also identified priority development sites and zoning districts to support these initiatives. In addition, we expanded our engagement process to make room for a talented UMass-Amherst graduate student, her professor, and her colleagues to conduct a scenario planning process for housing development.
The Planning Board voted to approve the Plan in June 2025. Town staff anticipate that the Town Council will take up the Plan in August 2025. This Plan equips Amherst with the tools and vision to meet its evolving housing needs and remain inclusive, affordable, and resilient for years.
