What is the Housing Choice Community Designation?
The Housing Choice Community (HCC) Designation is available to all Massachusetts Cities and Towns not designated as Rural and Small Towns. The HCC Designation recognizes Cities and Towns that demonstrate certain levels of housing production and adoption of pro-housing best practices.
What is the Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community Designation?
Launched in 2026, the Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Communities (RST-HCC) Designation is available to all Massachusetts Rural and Small Towns, defined as communities with a population under 7,000 (small towns) or with a population density of under 500 persons per square mile (rural towns), as measured by the 2020 US Census. The RST-HCC Designation comes from hundreds of conversations with local leaders since 2023 and will help more communities become part of the Housing Choice Initiative and receive all its benefits.
What are the Benefits of the Designation?
Cities and Towns designated as a Housing Choice Community (HCC) or Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community (RST-HCC) are eligible for the same benefits. Benefits include exclusive access to the Housing Choice Grant Program through the Community One Stop for Growth, and special considerations from various Housing Choice Initiative participating state programs.
Communities interested in receiving either designation should review the designation criteria they are eligible for and prepare to submit a Designation Application.