Trust awards HB Cottages community workshop contract to JM Goldson and allocates $18,000

The Westboro Affordable Housing Trust voted March 13 to award JM Goldson the contract to facilitate a community workshop series for the HB Cottages affordable-housing project and to allocate $18,000 for the work.

Trust staff described a prior community forum and the goal of using hands-on workshops where residents can model site scenarios to help set RFP criteria and preferences for developers. The working group reviewed three proposals and recommended JM Goldson based on experience with similar community engagement work, proposed materials and timeline.

Trustees approved a motion authorizing the chair or the chair’s designee to prepare and sign a statement of work for the project and to allocate $18,000. The trust also voted to authorize the chair to apply for technical assistance from the MassHousing Partnership to help with RFP drafting, preapproval issues and potential funding sources.

Staff said the technical assistance could include guidance on community engagement, RFP language and state funding opportunities; the consultant will prepare findings and recommendations to inform RFP criteria. The trust will notify unsuccessful respondents and inform JM Goldson of the award before beginning the workshop process.