Thanks to all who attended; the presenters were terrific and provided a wealth of information. For those of you that missed it, view both the slide presentation and the video above (video on YouTube, thanks to HWCAM)

The fourth event in our Speaker Series: What is Affordable Housing and Why Should it Matter to Everyone. Affordable Housing is one of the most critical matters facing our world, our country, our commonwealth and our communities. But there are so many questions:

What is affordable housing? What is the present state of affordable housing as it relates to North Shore real estate? Who qualifies and what are the requirements to apply. Why is having enough affordable housing essential for a healthy and economically stable community? What are the affordable housing options? What are the Impacts of the MBTA Zoning rules? What are 40B requirements? Why is affordable housing eco-friendly and sustainable?

Our slate of speakers come with a wealth of expertise and experience to help us answer these and other questions.

Presented by LWVHW in partnership with the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library and with funding from the Hamilton-Wenham Local Cultural Council.

Speakers

Patrick Maguire is the Chief Executive Officer of the North Shore REALTORS® (NSR). In his role, he leads NSR by directing strategic, policy, and long-term planning initiatives. In 2011, Patrick joined the industry as a real estate agent. As an agent, he rose to President of NSR, served multiple years on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, and served as a committee member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Prior to becoming CEO in 2021, Patrick started as the NSR Manager of Government Affairs and Professional Standards starting in 2019.

Judi Barrett is the founding principal and managing director of Barett Planning Group LLC. She brings 33 years of experience as a consultant and community and economic development professional with state and local governments. She has prepared and managed a variety of projects for public and private clients, including comprehensive and strategic plans, zoning revisions, housing studies, and more. She is well known for her work in affordable and fair housing policy and inclusionary zoning.

Felicia Pierce, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for North Shore Community Development Coalition (NSCDC), is a nationally recognized award-winning non-profit leader with over 15 years of community organizing planning and development experience. Felicia oversees all of NSCDC’s community programming which includes, but is not limited to, programs under youth development, community engagement, economic development, and youth housing. She holds a Master of Social Work with a major in community organization and planning from the CUNY Hunter School of Social Work.

Jamie Knudsen is the current Chair of the Hamilton Affordable Housing Trust and Hamilton Human Rights Commission (AHT and HHRC). The Mission of the Hamilton Affordable Housing Trust is to increase the availability of Affordable Housing in the Town of Hamilton. Jamie is a shareholder in the firm of Knudsen Burbridge, P.C. He specializes in the area of general estate, tax, and charitable planning, trust administration and dispute resolution. Jamie received his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Duke University School of Law.