Topics of Interest

Update of Housing Needs in Orleans: On December 2, 2022, the Town of Orleans issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from consulting firms to conduct an update of its assessment of housing needs completed in 2017.  In addition to updating demographic data, the update will fill some gaps in knowledge about the needs of persons working but not now residing in Orleans and the nature of the large homeowner need previously identified.  The study is the result of a funding request submitted by the Orleans Affordable Housing Committee to the Affordable Housing Trust Board.  The two groups will work together to use the data generated by the update to formulate overall goals for Orleans' housing stock, long-term production goals for affordable housing, and schedule for periodic updates and reports.

The Town received three proposals in response to the RFP. After evaluation of responses and interviews, a selection panel composed of staff and a representative each of the Affordable Housing Committee and Affordable Housing Trust Board made a recommendation to the Town Administrators/Chief Procurement Officer, which was accepted. The Town awarded the contract to JMGoldson of Boston. The winning proposal describes the following tasks and deliverables:
  • Data Collection Plan;
  • Data Analysis;
  • Housing Stock Goals;
  • Housing Production Goals;
  • Plan for Updates and Reports.
Work started in April 2023 and will take approximately eight months.


Five joint meetings of the Affordable Housing Committee and Affordable Housing Trust Board are tentatively scheduled to discuss the deliverables.

joint mtgs on update of housing needs

Housing-Related Warrant Articles for May 8, 2023, Town Meeting: The Spring Town Meeting will see several warrant articles that are part of the long-term effort to address the need for affordable and attainable housing. The need for housing is well documented and requires determined effort. The Town is making good progress in the face of the growing need and the extensive time and resources required. These articles represent additional tools that can be used in that effort.2023 Spring Warrant Articles Table for website2

The Affordable Housing Committee has done a flyer to let folks know about Orleans’ housing story and how these warrant articles contribute to this effort. If you agree, please feel free to print it out and distribute. Scott Flood, a member of the Committee has also done a video explaining the various housing-related warrant articles. 

Subsidized Housing Inventory: the Massachusetts DHCD maintains the inventory of subsidized housing for every locality in the State that meets its definition of affordable housing for the purposes of compliance with chapter 40B: The list of localities and numbers of units is generally updated annually. The current list is arranged alphabetically. Orleans Housing Developments: the 2017 comprehensive study of housing needs contains a list of the various assisted housing developments in the Town at that time.