Housing Choice Community Designation

On December 11, 2017, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced a comprehensive new initiative to substantially increase housing production across the Commonwealth. The Housing Choice Initiative provides incentives, and rewards, and technical assistance and targeted legislative reform to encourage and empower municipalities to plan and build the diverse housing stock that the Commonwealth needs to continue to thrive. Littleton's housing efforts were featured, and Town Administrator Keith Bergman delivered remarks at the event. On December 18, 2017, the Littleton Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to authorize submission of the Town of Littleton's application for designation as a "Housing Choice" community. Littleton achieved designation as a Housing Choice Community in 2018. This designation was extended to 2025. In April 2025, the Planning Department applied to renew Littleton's Housing Choice designation and on July 10, 2025, the Town received notice that Littleton's Housing Choice Designation was renewed through the year 2030.

The Housing Choice Initiative recognizes communities that are adopting modernized best-practice policies that support increased housing production and lower costs. The Housing Choice Initiative provides designated municipalities with exclusive access to the Housing Choice Grant Program. It is administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Littleton is proud to partner with the Healey/Driscoll Administration and work with HLC on this important initiative. 

Littleton's housing stock increased by 3.4% from 2020 through 2024, with 132 new units in this 5-year span. We have implemented both required Housing Choice Implementation Policies: (1) multi-family zoning by right and (2) property tax relief for income-eligible seniors. In addition, we have in place at least twelve "Affordable Housing Best Practices" ranging from Inclusionary Zoning, Transit-Oriented Development zoning, Resilient Building Standards, and Regional Collaboration on affordable housing. Housing Choice Designation opens the door to several Grant programs that are not available to most communities in the Commonwealth, including Housing Choice Grants and HousingWorks Infrastructure Program Grants. In addition, the 77 Housing Choice Communities receive "extra points" for participating grant programs: EEA Gateway City Parks Program; EEA LAND Grant Program; EEA Land Use Planning Assistance Grants; EEA PARC Grant program; HED MassWorks Infrastructure Grants; HED Seaport Council Grants; MassDOT - Capital Investment Plan; MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program; and TRE/DEP Clean Water Trust Housing Choice Loan Program. These grant and low-interest loan programs support a wide range of municipal activities from preserving parks and open space to providing clean water and building new infrastructure.

Littleton has received three Housing Choice Grants (1) $250,000 in FY19 for new firefighting equipment; (2) $225,000 in FY21 to support extension of municipal sewer and water service to Hager Homestead; and (3) $120,000 in FY25 for the Homeowner Small Grant program for income-qualified critical health and safety repairs and maintenance. 

Littleton’s Housing Choice Designation is in addition to our eligibility for the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund; the Catalyst Fund is a grant program available to municipalities that - like Littleton - have received a district compliance determination letter from EOHLC. The Catalyst Fund will support activities related to infrastructure projects associated with housing. Results of Littleton’s grant application for funding from the Catalyst Fund will be announced in the Fall of 2025.


Housing Choice Designation