Who is the Sudbury Housing Authority?

The Sudbury Housing Authority (SHA) is NOT a town committee. It is a Commonwealth of Massachusetts entity and their objective is to increase affordable housing throughout Sudbury.

Because SHA is separate from the Town of Sudbury, it need not follow local oversight. Therefore, their mission may conflict with our town's vision for affordable housing.

What's the issue?

Local Sudbury residents strongly oppose the Sudbury Housing Authority's (SHA) proposal to demolish four affordable single-family homes and replace them with duplexes on tiny lots in the Pine Lakes neighborhood. This irresponsible over-development will cost $4.2 million, paid significantly using taxpayer funds. This project would also demolish these last remaining single-family affordable housing options in Sudbury, setting a precedent of multi-family housing developments throughout all other Sudbury neighborhoods. 

On April 1st, the Sudbury Select Board voted to Not Support this Article at Town Meeting. This official town recommendation sends a clear message to residents that this proposed project may not be in the best interests of Sudbury. 

What's at stake?

If SHA's duplex project secures $450k in funding at the Town Meeting with Article 46, it will establish a dangerous precedent that may impact future developments. This could potentially allow more SHA projects to proceed without conforming to town zoning bylaws and requirements, even though Sudbury has already exceeded the Commonwealth's 40B Safe Harbor Status of 10% affordable housing stock, currently standing at 12%.

The exorbitant cost of $4.2 million for four small duplexes is a misuse of funds that could be better spent on preserving our neighborhood's existing affordable housing.

These four properties have long served as SHA affordable housing units, standing for decades as welcoming homes where residents are embraced as neighbors. The Pine Lakes community believes affordable housing is critical and necessary. However, it must be done thoughtfully and responsibly.

Why is now the time to act?

Immediate action is crucial to prevent the SHA from moving forward with this irresponsible project. The SHA has already shown a lack of genuine community engagement and fiscal responsibility.

Voicing our concerns before Town Meeting in May can ensure that our elected town officials and fellow residents take the necessary steps to vote "NO" to Article 46. If approved at Town Meeting, this Community Preservation Committee (CPC) article would grant the necessary funding for SHA to proceed with this project. Your support will help protect our community and promote a more sensible use of our taxpayer and community funds.

Would you like to know more?

Check out the 'By the numbers' section below and the following resources to learn more about this proposal and the community's efforts to raise concerns:

Sudbury Weekly Open Letter (April 2025): Link

Sudbury Weekly Open Letter (September 2024): Link

Sudbury Weekly Open Letter (May 2024): Link

Facebook Group: Link

By the numbers...

• $4.2 million - Current amount SHA wants to spend on 4 small duplexes; this amount has already increased 2x from $3.46 million since April 2024
• $650k - Existing community funds SHA plans to use on this proposal vs. preserving existing homes
• $450k - Community funds SHA is asking for at Town Meeting. Meaning a total of $1.1 million community funds to be used on this project. Sudbury residents pay additional taxes for these funds.
• $500k or less - Estimated cost to preserve all four of these existing single-family homes to safe and comfortable conditions
• $268k - Consulting fees going to Cambridge Housing Authority on this project
• 0.20 acres - Average lot size of proposed duplex sites in the Pine Lakes neighborhood
• 0.79 acres - Average lot size of existing SHA duplexes in other Sudbury neighborhoods
• 8.36 acres - Combined lots of properties owned and operated by SHA where deed restrictions have been expired since 2020 and can accommodate more duplexes (Fairbank Rd, Pine St, Old Meadow Rd). These lots already have SHA duplexes today.
• 2 out of 4 - Number of the proposed duplex sites being kept vacant by the SHA (21 Great Lake Dr, 8 Oakwood Ave)
• 3 years - Time 21 Great Lake Dr has been left vacant without repairs. SHA's own professional study says only $137k in work is needed to support full occupancy (current CPA funds at 650k)
• 3% - Surcharge on your Sudbury tax bill that generates the community funds SHA plans will use for this project.  If you look at your tax bill, you’ll see it listed as “Community Preservation Act” right on top of “Residential Tax”. These are your tax dollars.
• 11.88% - Sudbury’s affordable housing stock, ranking #71 out of 351 Massachusetts towns and cities; stock over 10% brings "safe harbor" status with Chapter 40B allowing our community to make our own sensible decisions about affordable housing development