2021 Small Area FMR Subcomittee Minutes
Housing Partnership Small Area FMR Subcommittee Report 3:00 PM, Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this was
Zoom virtual meeting: https://zoom.us/j/97812817281
Or by phone: +13017158592,,97812817281#
In Attendance: Gordon Shaw, Jim Reis, Sara Howard
1. Called to order at 3:00 pm.
2. First meeting, no minutes.
3. Public comment – no one joined the meeting
4. Discussed how the Northampton Housing Partnership can advocate for the adoption of the
Small Area FMR for Section 8s to increase the likelihood that people can successfully
lease-up in Northampton given the ever increasing average rent. After a discussion of a
number of options, the following action was agreed upon by the those in attendance:
• Follow-up with the Northampton Housing Authority to find out if they have decided to
use the Small area FMR for the 01060 zip code they were considering. Also ask why so
many people given a Section 8 leased up outside of Northampton. Only 148 out of 557
people leased in Northampton in the past 5 years. Was this because they couldn’t find
affordable housing in our city or because the people wanted to live in these other listed
cities ? Edgar followed-up – see attached response.
• Contact Way Finders staff to find out why only some sections of Northampton qualify
for the Small Area FMRs in the SNO Program, and also if they know whether the Mass.
Dept. of Housing and Community Development or the federal Dept. of Housing and
urban Development is considering detaching Hampshire County from the Springfield
FMR area. Jim contacted them but has not heard back yet.
• Contact the Amherst Housing Authority and ask if they have been able to use the Small
Area FMR for the Section 8s they provide. Jim contacted them but has not heard back
yet.
5. Recommendation - after all the information above has been received we recommend to the
full Partnership that we contact our local, state, and federal elected officials to advocate for
the use of the Small Area FMR in Northampton.
6. Adjourned at 3:45 p.m.