By recently completing its first housing production plan, Millbury has joined a growing number of towns in central Massachusetts that are strategically planning for housing.

Throughout last year, the town’s Housing Production Plan (HPP) Steering Committee worked with the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission to summarize the current demographic and housing conditions in the community, gather public input through a community survey and workshops, evaluate barriers to housing production, identify specific sites suitable for housing development, and establish proactive strategies to guide the town’s efforts to address its housing needs while achieving its 10 percent affordable housing goal. In 2025 Millbury has only 221 units or 3.7 percent of its year-round housing stock that qualify as affordable under Chapter 40B.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities approved Millbury’s HPP on June 2, 2025, which will be active for a five-year period. Millbury has already begun implementation of the HPP with support from CMRPC to facilitate more diverse and affordable housing opportunities. Using District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) program funding, Millbury is updating its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaw and evaluating inclusionary zoning as an affordable housing production tool.