Canton's Affordable Housing Trust will meet Thursday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m. in Town Hall's Paul Carroll Meeting Room, bringing a packed nine-item agenda that touches affordable lotteries, state housing legislation and the town's accessory dwelling unit policies.

The trust exists to preserve and create affordable housing in Canton for low- and moderate-income households. It draws funding through the Community Preservation Act and is staffed by Housing Coordinator Kevin Shea.

The seven-member board, appointed by the Select Board for two-year terms, includes Chair Lisa Lopez of the Canton Housing Authority, Vice Chair Patricia M. Boyden of the Select Board, Town Finance Director Allyson Podgurski, Town Planner Connor Murphy, Community Preservation Committee member Melissa Mayer and citizen-at-large Debra Sundin. The Town Administrator seat is currently vacant.

Trustees will hear updates on two active affordable housing lotteries. At 399 Neponset St., a 49-unit condominium development is offering four affordable units to first-time homebuyers earning up to 80% of Area Median Income. At 30 Coppersmith Way, a 63-unit age-restricted (55+) development has seven affordable units available by lottery for eligible buyers. Both projects held virtual information sessions on July 9.

The trust is also seeking quotes for an Affirmative Marketing and Lottery Agent Services vendor, a sign it expects to run additional lotteries.

State legislation and ADUs

The agenda lists a legislative update on House Bill 2347, which appears to refer to the "Yes in God's Backyard" bill. According to the Berkshire Eagle, the bill would allow housing development by right on land owned by religious institutions, permitting up to 30 units per acre or up to 50 where local zoning allows. The bill is before the state Legislature.

The agenda also includes a discussion of accessory dwelling units, which Massachusetts legalized statewide under the 2024 Affordable Homes Act.

Other business

Rounding out the agenda: a discussion of tax lien sales policy, a FY28 Community Preservation Act pre-application for future funding, a grant application tied to inclusionary zoning recommendations, a Brayton Circle development update, a Housing Roundtable recap and a possible change to how the Housing Authority submits funding requests to the Community and Capital Planning Committee.

The affordability pressures driving the trust's work are steep. "A buyer needs an income of $120,800, up from just $68,700 five years earlier," economist Elliott Eisenberg said in the Norfolk County Register of Deeds' Q2 2026 report, released July 31, citing the median single-family home price of $409,000 as of the fourth quarter of 2025.

The meeting is open to the public at 801 Washington St. The trust's next meeting date will be set at the session; residents can reach Shea at [email protected].