Ayer trust preps lower-AMI zoning fix for fall

Ayer Affordable Housing Trust · Meeting of July 29, 2026

AYER — The Ayer Affordable Housing Trust discussed a zoning fix to make inclusionary units actually affordable in town. Community Development Program Manager Katie Neville told members Ayer's current bylaw defaults to an 80 percent area median income threshold, which she said sits above Ayer's own market rents, and said a draft amendment targeting the Fall Town Meeting would set a lower AMI level similar to Salem's 60 percent cap or Chelmsford's 50 percent cap. Member Ken Diskin disputed her characterization, citing printed bylaw language, while the two agreed the dispute concerned rental units specifically.

Separately, the trust reported its CPC-funded rental assistance program has grown to 14 households, and member Cyndi Lavin said, "We don't need a social worker as much as we need a caseworker." The trust also confirmed its $170,000 Devens Crest commitment remains unreleased pending a town counsel agreement.

In the full story:

• Membership Update
• Affordable Housing Forum, September 29
• MHP Housing Institute and Regional Trust Collaboration
• Rental Assistance Program Update
• Emergency Assistance Fund
• Devens Crest Allocation
• Inclusionary Zoning
• Trust Balance and Meeting Cadence
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,856 words

Source: the Ayer Affordable Housing Trust meeting of July 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.