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  • This page, Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Designation Application, is   offered by
  • Housing Choice Initiative

Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Designation Application

The Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Designation is available to all Massachusetts Rural and Small Towns, defined as communities with a population under 7,000 or with a population density of under 500 persons per square mile.

For Newly or Re-Designating Communities

All newly or redesignating communities should complete the entire application including:

  • Confirm your community is a Rural and Small Town
  • Permits issued in the past 5 years
  • Select the specific housing production threshold you currently meet
  • Select all best practices you currently meet

For Currently Designated Communities

Currently designated communities do not need to re-apply to continue their designation. Currently designated communities will need to confirm or update their current best practices and will need:

  • List of most recently submitted best practices provided to community by EOHLC
  • Complete application to update or confirm the best practices you currently meet

Designation Criteria and Best Practices

Before submitting your form, please review the 2026 Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Communities Designation Criteria and Best Practices.

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