Wellesley Affordable Housing Trust

The Wellesley Housing Development Corporation is now the Wellesley Affordable Housing Trust (WAHT), action that was approved by 2025 Annual Town Meeting and the 194^th General Court. The mission of the WAHT is to provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Wellesley for the benefit of low- and moderate-income households, with a particular focus on assisting the Town and other public agencies, including the Wellesley Housing Authority.   

Currently, work is underway to formalize the WAHT and recruit members for its volunteer Board of Trustees. Read more about the establishing guidelines, objectives, and board responsibilities of the WAHT.

Interested in volunteering for a WAHT Board position? Please complete the Town of Wellesley online volunteer form.

Mission Statement

The Wellesley Affordable Housing Trust assists in the development of affordable housing opportunities for persons of low, moderate, and middle income in the Town of Wellesley in order to implement the Town's Affordable Housing Policy.

Town of Wellesley Affordable Housing Policy

"Wellesley is an outstandingly attractive residential community, enriched by the diversity of its residents. Wellesley seeks to maintain and enhance its present character by preserving a mix of housing stock that includes low income, moderate income and market rate housing."

In establishing this Affordable Housing Policy, Wellesley seeks to control its own growth and development. Affordable Housing is housing which, under the guidelines and regulations promulgated by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40B, is defined as low or moderate income housing, or housing which may otherwise be determined by vote of Wellesley Town Meeting to be affordable housing.

Criteria for the Development of Affordable Housing

1. The predominantly single-family residential character of Wellesley shall be preserved.

2. Urban-scale projects are to be avoided.

3. Preferences shall be given to projects where 100% of the units satisfy Town housing goals, however, the Town recognized the potential necessity of including mixed income housing in order to ensure a development's overall economic viability.

4. Any affordable housing shall, to the maximum extent possible, remain affordable in perpetuity.

5. Insofar as it is legal, Wellesley residents shall be given priority in the marketing of affordable housing units.

6. Preservation of open space and protection of natural resources shall be important considerations in the Town's land use planning.

7. Development of affordable housing should not overburden existing utility systems or other public facilities that serve the Town, including services, streets, the public water supply and sewers to a greater extent than would any other development.

8. Wellesley's Fair Housing Policy shall be respected.

Note: Wellesley's Affordable Housing Policy was adopted by the 1989 Town Meeting under Article 31, and amended by the 1997 Town Meeting under Article 42.