A Housing Production Plan (HPP), defined in regulations at 760 CMR 56.03 and administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), is a proactive strategy for planning and developing affordable housing. The HPP identifies the housing needs of a community and the goals and strategies it will use to identify and achieve or maintain the 10% threshold mandated by M.G.L. Chapter 40B. The Town’s status relating to this 10% threshold is documented on the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI), also administered by DHCD.

This HPP Program enables municipalities to develop a strategy to meet its affordable housing needs in a manner consistent with the MGL Chapter 40B statute, produce housing units in accordance with that plan, and demonstrate progress towards their affordable housing production. By taking a proactive approach in the adoption of a HPP, cities and towns are much more likely to achieve both their affordable housing and community planning goals. HPPs give communities under the 10% threshold of Chapter 40B, but are making steady progress in producing affordable housing on an annual basis, more control over comprehensive permit applications for a specified period of time. HPPs give communities over the 10% threshold a framework to maintain the statutory minima in accordance with local needs and community goals.

The Town of Concord places great importance on planning for affordable housing through the HPP process. HPPs are updated and renewed every five years per the regulations, and Concord had an approved Housing Production Plan in 2005, in 2010, and renewed in 2015.