As a 30-year resident of Belmont and current renter, I wanted to address the new zoning proposal for Belmont Center.
I have been so fortunate to have stable housing in the town I grew up in. But far too many residents do not. Many are cost-burdened.
That’s when households spend 30% or more of their income on rent, or their mortgage (including utilities). Belmont, unfortunately, has 28% of homeowners and 36% of renters cost burdened.
Many young folks who we educate in our schools, which we all contribute to, are forced to leave instead of staying in the town they grew up in and contributing their share to our town. Even more seniors are stuck in houses that are unsafe or unprepared for their healthcare and mobility needs in older age. The lack of housing options to downsize often creates not only a physical and economic burden for them, but also ties up housing that families that rent (and want to own) are unable to access.
This Belmont center proposal offers hope that, over the years, these issues can be addressed. It would push any developer to include at least two stories of commercial space, which would also improve our non-property tax revenue. This would attack one of the real cost burdens for families, as commercial taxes would help offset overrides. Belmont’s motto is “A town of Homes.” We can live up to that motto by taking action starting today!
Michael McNamara, Marlboro Street