When Andover Community
Trust is nearing completion of each permanently affordable home
it conducts an owner election process. The process begins with
a mandatory information session at which Andover Community Trust explainsthe owner selection criteria
and application. And the necessary paperwork is given to
interested participants.
The owner information sessions are advertised
on the Andover Community Trust website, on the Town of Andover
website and the CHAPA (Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association)
website. In addition notices are sent to the Andover Townsman,
the Eagle Tribune and Rumbo, as well as to the Andover School
Department, Andover municipal offices and the Andover Housing
Authority and non-profit providers of affordable housing in the
Greater Lawrence area, such as Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity
and Lawrence Community Works.
The Andover Community Trust owner selection
committee, which includes board members and one member from the
neighborhood in which the house is located, ranks the applications
based on the selection criteria shared with applicants at the
information session. Applicants must be income eligible working
households, with at least one child living at home under the age
of 16, who are first time homebuyers and have taken a first time
homebuyer’s class. As well as having total household income
less than 80 percent of the area median income, they must not
exceed the asset limit ($75,000 in 2009).
Selected finalists are interviewed in
their homes by the owner selection committee, which makes a recommendation
to the Andover Community Trust board of directors, which makes
the final decision.
