City of Lynn

Welcome to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF)

The City of Lynn Affordable Housing Trust Fund is a dedicated organization committed to addressing the housing needs of our community. Our mission is to create, maintain, and preserve affordable housing opportunities for Lynn residents. We believe that everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home.

What We Do:

The City of Lynn approved an ordinance in 2022 creating the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (Trust) to provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Lynn. Creation of the Trust is one of the priority recommendations of Housing Lynn: An Inclusive Plan for Growth, and is a powerful tool for the City to create and preserve affordable housing consistent with the goals of the Housing Lynn Plan.

The AHTF plays a vital role in supporting affordable housing initiatives in Lynn by:

- Funding Affordable Housing Projects: We provide financial support to developers, non-profits, and community organizations working to create and preserve affordable housing options in Lynn. The AHTF has been initially funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding of $3 million and will be funded through in-lieu fees collected through the City of Lynn’s inclusionary zoning ordinance (Section 24 of the City of Lynn Zone Ordinance).
- Community Partnerships: We collaborate with other housing organizations, local government agencies, and nonprofits to maximize our impact and ensure that affordable housing remains a priority.
- Educational Outreach: We engage in educational and awareness campaigns to inform Lynn residents about affordable housing opportunities, resources, and assistance programs.

The table below articulates the current income limits by area median income (AMI), provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD), for the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy Metropolitan Statistical Area that the AHTF intends to support through
funding:

Language Accessibility:

We are committed to inclusivity. All materials for Affordable Housing Trust Fund meetings are available in other languages upon request. If you wish to participate in the meetings and require a translator, please email our Housing Program Manager at [email protected], no later than 3 business days before the meeting. We want to ensure that language is not a barrier to community engagement.

Todos los materiales para las reuniones del Fondo Fiduciario de Vivienda Asequible (Affordable Housing Trust Fund) están disponibles en otros idiomas a solicitud previa. Si usted desea participar en las reuniones y necesita in interprete, favor de enviar un correo electrónico a [email protected].

Get Involved:

We welcome community involvement and support. If you have ideas or want to stay updated on our progress, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Thank you for visiting the City of Lynn Affordable Housing Trust Fund page. Together, we can make affordable housing a reality for everyone in our community.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Applying for Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) Funding: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. AHTF Application Submission:
- Start by filling out the AHTF application form, available on our official city website below in the 'Documents' container.
- Complete all required fields accurately, providing comprehensive information about your proposed affordable housing project.
- Submit the application to the AHTF Board for initial review. Ensure that all necessary documentation is attached and information is clear.

2. Review by AHTF Board:
- In order to have your project reviewed at the next AHTF board meeting, you must submit the application along with supporting documents before the second Thursday of the month.
- After receiving your documents, the AHTF Board conducts a thorough evaluation of your application and supporting documents at their regularly scheduled meeting on the third Tuesday of every month.

3. Notification of Decision:
- Following the board meeting, if any additional supporting documentation is needed or the AHTF Board would like you to present your project to the board for a decision, you will be notified.
- If the board awards funding to your project, you will receive an electronic notification directly from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board within 48 hours of the regularly scheduled meeting. This notification will contain the outcome of the review, including any award decision or additional requirements.

Additional Tips:
- Ensure all documentation is complete and accurate to expedite the review process.
- Contact Sophia Yero, our Housing Program Manager, if you have any questions or need clarification during the application process.
- Attend the regularly scheduled AHTF Board meetings to stay informed about the progress of your application.