The Town Council voted to approve a Request for Proposals for a Housing Diversity Study during the November 8, 2021 meeting.  The vote was preceded by a successful motion to indefinitely table a proposed Second Amendment Town Center TIF District and Development Program in light of a recently verified Citizens Petition to send the newly approved Town Center Affordable Housing Amendments to referendum [Article].  The amendments to the  Town Center TIF District would: allow the Town to enter into a Credit Enhancement Agreement with the developers of the proposed Dunham Court affordable housing development; allow the expansion of allowed expenditures from the TIF proceeds to include affordable housing; and permit an extension of the Town Center TIF from 20 to 25 years.

The 2019 Comprehensive Plan includes a recommendation to conduct a Housing Diversity Study. The Dunham Court affordable housing development was proposed in February of 2021, ahead of the council's action to follow the Comprehensive Plan's recommendation for a study.

The work description included in the request for proposals states:

The study should evaluate current housing costs, needs, impacts on services, and other relevant elements in the town and recommend actions to create more affordable and attainable housing opportunities including, but not limited to helping seniors to downsize, and. young adults and families to move to Cape Elizabeth.  The study should provide a wide range of options for the town to consider.

The proposal submission deadline is January 14, 2022.  More information can be found on the town's Request For Proposals page.