Join the City of Salem and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) for a free  workshop about housing on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Community Life Center, located at 401 Bridge St. in Salem.

Following a public forum on March 5 where residents talked about different tools to create more affordable housing, the City of Salem wants to continue the conversation with a workshop focusing on two specific tools of interest—inclusionary zoning and accessory dwelling units (commonly called “in-law apartments”).

Workshop participants will hear about the need for housing in Salem and how housing supply impacts prices and rents. Participants will then give input on two proposed tools:

• Inclusionary Zoning, a tool municipalities can use to require the creation of affordable housing; and

• Potential changes to how accessory dwelling units are currently regulated so that more opportunities for affordable housing can be created.

The event will start with welcoming remarks from Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and an open house where guests can view posters and watch a video about housing need in Salem. After the open house there will be a presentation, followed by discussions in small groups to go over specific aspects of inclusionary zoning and accessory dwelling units.

This event is free and open to all. Spanish language interpretation will be provided. Childcare will not be provided, but parents are welcome to bring their children to the workshop.

To stay up to date on housing matters in Salem, visit bit.ly/salemhousing.  

For more information about the project, contact Amanda Chiancola, Salem’s Senior Planner, at achiancola@salem.com and 978-619-5685, or Karina Milchman, Chief of Housing and Neighborhood Development at MAPC, at kmilchman@mapc.org and 617-933-0738.