Douglas and Uxbridge have been named among 29 newly designated Housing Choice Communities, a recognition announced April 13 at Gill Town Hall by Kim Driscoll and Juana Matias.

Both towns earned the five-year designation under the Rural and Small Town category by meeting state housing production thresholds over the past five years and implementing best practices in planning and zoning.

The designation provides Douglas and Uxbridge with exclusive eligibility to apply for the Housing Choice Grant Program through the Community One Stop for Growth. Communities also receive added priority and consideration across nine additional state programs, potentially unlocking funding for infrastructure and development initiatives.

In past funding rounds, Housing Choice grants have supported a range of local projects, including wastewater and infrastructure improvements to enable new housing, upgrades to enhance public safety and accessibility, and the rehabilitation of underutilized properties.

The designation is part of the Commonwealth’s broader Housing Choice Initiative, which aims to encourage housing production through incentives, technical assistance, and policy reforms designed to expand housing options statewide.