Bridgewater's Vision to Reality: Let's Talk Housing
Revitalizing the Heart of Bridgewater: Vision to Reality is an intentionally comprehensive economic development initiative rooted in Bridgewater’s Comprehensive Master Plan. The initiative focuses on transforming the town’s Central Business District, which includes Central Square and the area in and around Campus Plaza, into a vibrant hub of business and community. These include revitalizing underutilized downtown properties, improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, improving connectivity between downtown and the surrounding area, supporting existing and attracting new businesses, and relocating the town’s only MBTA platform, all while preserving Bridgewater’s historic character.
This is the first of several summaries that the Town will be issuing in the next six weeks leading up to the Community Workshop on September 26th that will provide more information about the initiative and invite input from the community.
In the public meetings we have held to date, housing is a topic which has been discussed often with some expressing opinions that there is no need for additional housing, while others acknowledging that there is a housing crisis both in Bridgewater and within the Commonwealth. Our goal is that the below information provides some context in regards to how housing is classified and what the housing picture looks like specifically in Bridgewater.
Income information below is based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) utilizing U.S. Census Bureau data to determine area median income, meaning the middle value between the highest and lowest incomes in a specific area.
MODERATE INCOME: Households whose incomes are between 81 percent and 95 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by HUD
LOW INCOME: Households whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by HUD
HUD STANDARDS: If more than 30% of household income goes towards housing, you are considered “cost burdened.”
HUD Moderate-Income Households: (Annual Income) 1-person in household, $79,720; 2-people in household, $91,120
HUD Low-Income Households: (Annual Income) 1-person in household, $63,784; 2-people in household, $72,896
Examples of salaries in Bridgewater:
Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District, a 1st year teacher (w/bachelor's degree): $52,207
Bridgewater Police Department, a starting patrol officer: $59,792
Average costs to buy or rent in Bridgewater:
June 2023 median list price for homes in Bridgewater was $650K, median sale price $682.5K (source: Realtor.com)
As of August 2023, the average rent in Bridgewater for a one bedroom was $2,075/month. (current range $1,942 to as much as $3,324 )(source: Apartments.com)
Currently, Bridgewater has limited housing options for young professionals (rental or ownership)
Currently, Bridgewater has limited housing options for seniors aging in place (55+)
A key element of the Vision to Reality plan is utilizing MBTA Communities legislation to amend existing zoning regulations which will allow for more flexibility in developing mixed income housing and attracting commercial tenants (retail/restaurants).
MBTA Communities requires we allow for an additional 1401 housing units
Zoning to meet MBTA Communities compliance must be in place by December 2024
Bridgewater is engaged with professional consultants to make necessary zoning amendments
Studies have shown that adapting our zoning to meet MBTA Communities compliance would have no significant impact on schools (1 student per 52 units / 1401 units = 27 students)
Relocating MBTA platform to Spring Street lot, concentrating new mixed-use development within ½ mile radius (considered “transit-oriented development”) will attract new retail and restaurants because of the surrounding activity
Please join us on Sept. 26th at 6:30pm at George Mitchell Elementary School to learn more about Revitalizing the Heart of Bridgewater: Vision to Reality.