Hanover Selectboard to discuss Mink Brook housing proposal

HANOVER — The Selectboard will host a public meeting on Monday to discuss plans for a workforce housing project on a 5-acre parcel of conserved land in Mink Brook Community Forest. 

The town is currently drafting a purchase agreement with affordable housing nonprofit, Twin Pines Housing Trust, who will acquire the land to develop a small cluster of cottage homes for workforce housing — a plan authorized by Hanover voters at Town Meeting in May. 

The discussion will include an overview of the project and a listening session to solicit public feedback. The Selectboard and Twin Pines are still negotiating terms of agreement for the transfer of the property. This negotiation is intended to ensure that the project proposed by Twin Pines aligns with Hanover’s housing goals and community priorities, such as maintaining access to the conserved lands that abut the parcel. 

“Workforce housing” refers to housing developments where the rent or home ownership is affordable to people whose incomes are less than 120% of the area median income. In Grafton County, that threshold is $115,000 for a family of four, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

To qualify as workforce housing, at least half of the units must be reserved for individuals or families who earn 30 to 50% of the area median income — or $30,000 to $50,000 per year for a family of four in Grafton County.

The discussion will be held during the Hanover Selectboard meeting on Monday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.