I’m an apartment renter in The Aven complex in Upper Falls. I’m astonished by a Fig City News interview (Sept. 29) which reports that John Chaimanis, at-large candidate in the 4th ward, stated that “Newton cannot build its way to affordability” because of the persistent demand to live here, combined with limited land supply. He doubted that Newton would “benefit from a significant increase in rental units,” because homeowners “get more involved in building long-term community,” but favored “adding income diversity through a variety of house sizes.”
This patronizing comparison ignores the Massachusetts legislature’s sensible assumption that vertically built, multi-family housing offers the most promise to alleviate the region’s severe housing shortage. The legislature followed through by enacting the MBTA Communities Act. Newton’s City Council complied with the law in December 2023, by rezoning defined in the Village Centers Overlay District (VCOD).
Most Newton employees cannot afford to buy a home here; but many may be happy to have affordable, appropriately sized rental apartments to avoid long commutes and educate their children here. How likely is it that employees, whose median salary is $85,000, could afford smaller houses when Newton’s median price is $1,500,000? On what land?
Twenty-five percent of The Aven apartments are income-limited for families making less than the Area Median Income. This beautifully landscaped community of nearly 300 apartments displays a welcome, peaceful diversity – in ethnicity, income, and age – greater than in any neighborhood I’ve ever visited, showing what can occur in Newton with imagination and resolve.
I’ll vote for Council candidates who’ve consistently advocated for more affordable housing: At-Large Councilors in Ward 4, Cyrus Dahmubed and Josh Krintzman; in Ward 5, Brittany Charm; and in Ward 6, Sean Roche; and for Ward-Only Councilor representing my own Ward 5, Garry Miller.
Fred Smith
Newton Upper Falls
