Ayer Affordable Housing Committee pursues up to $400,000 in COVID relief grants

AYER -- May 22, 2020, Ayer Affordable Housing Committee moves to capture up to $400,000 in federal COVID relief. Meeting virtually on May 22, committee staff Janet and Alicia outlined a three-part CDBG-CV grant application due June 5 that would direct residents toward the state's RAFT emergency rental assistance program, worth up to $4,000 per household, fund small-business micro-grants of up to $10,000 for enterprises with five or fewer employees, and potentially seed a library food seed bank. Real estate professional and committee member Ron reported the residential rental market has held up surprisingly well, with a $900 one-bedroom unit drawing over 250 inquiries, while downtown commercial vacancies have climbed to seven or eight spaces with little leasing activity expected before 2021. The committee also discussed restructuring from a seven-member body to five voting members plus two alternates to resolve persistent quorum problems, a proposal it plans to bring before the Select Board.