2. 1
AVALON Natick
Natick, Massachusetts
Table of Contents
I. Overview of Marketing Plan
II. Affirmative Marketing
III. Household Size Requirements
IV. Affordable Rent Schedule
V. Affordable Housing Open Enrollment & Lottery Plan
VI. Affordable Housing Application & Waitlist Process
VII. Outreach Contact List
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Avalon Natick
3 Chrysler Road Natick, MA 01760
508-975-4333
Affordable Housing Marketing
I. Overview of Marketing Plan & Certification
Avalon Natick comprises 407 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom rental apartment homes within
one 10-story and one 11-story residential tower, a separate 415-space structured parking garage
supplemented with 215 surface spaces, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a resident lounge and
landscaped grounds.
The affordable apartments (54 one-bedroom and 48 two-bedroom apartments) are set aside for
households not earning more that 80% Area Median Income for the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy MA-
NH HUD Metro FMR Area (“moderate-income”).
There are 20 accessible apartments at Avalon Natick:
Studio Apartments: 1 (market)
One Bedroom Apartments: 6 (market), 4 (affordable)
Two Bedroom Apartments: 6 (market), 3 (affordable)
As authorized representatives of AvalonBay Communities, Inc., respectively, each of us has
reviewed this plan and agrees to implement this AFHMP, which shall be made effective as of the
approval date. Further, by signing this form, AvalonBay Communities, Inc. agrees to review and
update its AFHMP as necessary in order to comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, executive
orders and other binding DHCD requirements pertaining to affirmative fair housing marketing and
resident selection plans reasonably related to such statutes, regulations, executive orders, as same
may be amended from time to time. We hereby certify that all the information stated herein, as well
as any information provided herewith, is true and accurate
Name & Title Date
Signature
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A. Nondiscrimination and Reasonable Accommodations
1. Avalon Natick will not discriminate in the selection of applicants on the basis
of race, color, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, children, familial
status, genetic information, marital status, public assistance recipiency,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran/military status, or
any other basis prohibited by law.
2. Applicants with disabilities may request (i) modifications to the Apartment
Home or the community or (ii) accommodations to our rules, policies,
practices or services, if such modifications or accommodations are necessary
to afford an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the premises.
3. AvalonBay has identified certain racial or ethnic minority groups may be less
likely to apply for residency at Avalon Natick. While AvalonBay's
application process cannot take into account any applicant's membership in a
protected class, including race, national origin or disability, specific efforts
will be made in marketing Avalon Natick to minority groups through the use
of targeted publications identified in Section II in order to ensure that these
groups are equally aware of and have equal access to the housing
opportunities at Avalon Natick.
AvalonBay encourages applicants with diverse backgrounds to apply
for housing at our communities. For those with Limited English
Proficiency, the owner will utilize a Language Line Service, which
provides translation services in a multitude of languages. The owner
calls the number to explain the need, and an interpreter translates the
information to the applicant.
The AvalonBay Level One Call Center associates, available 24 hours
a day, are trained to accommodate relay calls for applicants and/or
households that need TTY services. The Level One Call Center
associate relays information and/or answers specific questions about
the community to the relay operator, who disseminates the answers to
the resident/applicant caller through a typing devise.
II. Affordable Apartments Affirmative Marketing Plan
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will market the availability and application process for the Avalon
Natick affordable apartments throughout the community. While these efforts were most heavily
employed during the Avalon Natick open enrollment period, these media outlets are used for
additional marketing at any time when the number of applicants for the affordable apartments is not
sufficient. The outreach list is maintained and utilized at any time the number of applicants for the
affordable apartments may not be sufficient.
A. Outreach to Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Certificate Holders:
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The Owner will contact the local housing authority and/or other non-
profit agencies responsible for administering the Housing Choice
Voucher Program (i.e. Section 8) and provide them with:
- An overall development description.
- Moderate-income apartment description by size.
- How to apply; where, when, etc.
Mailing directed specifically to families who have been issued
certificates by the local housing authority, but have not located
apartments. The local housing authority will advise the Owner of the
number of outstanding certificates, in accordance with local housing
authority records so the Owner may prepare a mailing. Privacy
requirements forbid the Owner direct access to the names of the
certificate holders. Letters may only be addressed and mailed by the
local housing authority. The details, stamps, envelops, etc must be
worked out between the Owner and the local housing authority.
B. Advertisements- Newspaper Advertising:
Advertisements must be placed in local newspapers and minority
newspapers stating location, apartment size and what certificates and
income-levels will be accepted.
Advertisements will be placed in the following periodicals: The
Boston Globe, The Bay State Banner, El Mundo, Sing Tao, Sampan,
and any additional newspapers necessary to reach the appropriate
minority demographic.
C. Apartment Guides
The New England Apartment Guide may be used on a monthly basis.
D. Community Contacts
Outreach is made to moderate-income households via local
community resource contacts. These organizations are to be contacted
and advised of the availability of apartments for certificate holders
and moderate-income prospective residents so they may advise their
clientele. (See attached list for names of organizations that may be
added to the outreach. This list is maintained and updated on a regular
basis).
E. Internet Advertising
1. The community will be advertised on multiple internet sites to include:
Avalon Communities.com, Rentnet.com, Bostonapartments.com,
Apartmentguide.com, BostonAvalon.com, and Rent.com. In addition, there is
an internet “pay per click” campaign in order to attract applicants through
internet searches.
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F. Required Community Listings
1. Accessible units are listed with MassAccess whenever they become available:
(www.massaccesshousingregistry.org)
2. All affordable apartments are listed with MassAccess whenever they become
available upon turnover. (http://www.chapa.org)
3. All available affordable apartments are reported to the Boston Fair Housing
Metrolist, as known as the Metropolitan Housing Opportunity Clearing
Center. The Metropolitan Housing Opportunity Clearing Center may be
reached at 617-635-3321.
III. Household Size Requirements
A “household” shall mean two or more persons who will live regularly in the unit as their principal
residence and who are related by blood, marriage, law or who have otherwise evidenced a stable
inter-dependent relationship, or an individual. In order to make the best use of limited affordable
housing resources, household size should be appropriate for the number of bedrooms in the home.
The following minimum household standards are followed at Avalon Natick:
- For each affordable apartment home, there must be at least one person for each bedroom.
A husband and wife, or those in a similar living arrangement, shall be required to share a
bedroom.
- Exceptions to this minimum household requirement will be granted based upon an
approved reasonable accommodation request.
- Preference for waitlist placement is awarded according to the household size
requirements; refer to Section VI.
IV. Affordable Apartment Rent Schedule
A. The Affordable rent schedule is updated annually based upon changes to the
AMI published by HUD. Monthly Rents are calculated by multiplying 30% by
80% of AMI and adjusted for family size for 1.5- bedroom and 3-2 bedroom,
divided by 12, minus the utility allowance (“UA”).
B. An adjustment to the monthly affordable rent is made for the utility adjustment as
provided by the local housing authority.
C. If apartments are successfully marketed to applicants with Housing Choice
Vouchers, the rent may be based upon the current HUD published Section 8 FMR
(+/- 10% as allowed by HUD) as long as the tenant portion does not exceed the
maximum allowable affordable rent.
V. Affordable Housing Open Enrollment Plan and Lottery: The following open enrollment and
lottery process was followed for the initial leasing of the affordable apartments at Avalon
Natick in 2013
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A. The Affordable Housing Open Enrollment period lasted for 60 days and commenced
90 days prior to the initial occupancy date.
1. Within 30 days prior to commencement of the Affordable Housing Open
Enrollment period, an Information Session was held to introduce prospective
affordable housing applicants to the project, to provide an overview of the
application and lottery process, and to answer any questions from prospective
applicants.
B. The application process for the affordable apartments during the open enrollment
process was as follows:
1. Applications were available during the Open Enrollment period. Applicants
had to return all required information during the sixty-day open enrollment
period.
2. The application approval process took approximately thirty (30) days. Once
the affordable income applicants have been approved, the balance of the
applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
3. Affordable income apartments shall be offered to households based on
income eligibility.
4. Housing Choice Voucher holders (i.e. Section 8) who are eligible were
encouraged to apply for the affordable apartments.
5. All adult household applicants were required to complete an AvalonBay
Communities, Inc. Rental Application and an Affordable Housing
Questionnaire (a pre-application)
6. Records for every application made by an applicant, with name, date,
bedroom size required and the final status of the application, accepted,
rejected, invalid certificate, etc. will be maintained. This data will be
maintained for a minimum of seven (7) years.
C. Lottery
1. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. oversaw the lottery.
2. All qualified applications submitted during the open enrollment period were
eligible for the lottery.
3. Applicants for the lottery were required to submit all required material by a
specific deadline. Only applicants who are income eligible based upon self-
reported figures and who submitted all required information were entered into
the lottery.
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4. Qualified applicants were grouped according to apartment size (one, two and
three-bedroom apartments).
5. Qualified applicants were selected at random through a lottery process, based
on apartment size.
Each qualified applicant was assigned a registration number and
placed in the lottery pools in which they qualify. The ballots were
randomly drawn and ranked in the order which they were drawn.
Units will be awarded (largest units first) by proceeding down the list
of lottery winners to the first household size on the list which is the
appropriate size for the available apartment. This process is repeated
until all available units have been assigned to appropriately sized
applicant households.
6. Once the initial affordable apartment allocation was fulfilled, all remaining
applicants were placed on the wait list, specific to the bedroom size,
according to their ranking number.
7. Minorities will be identified in accordance with the regulatory classifications
established by HUD-defined area, which are: American Indian or Alaskan
Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; Black or African-
American; Hispanic or Latino.
8. Preference for the accessible units was given to such physically disabled
persons.
9. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. prepared complete application materials,
including an application form, application certification form, and
authorization for consent to release information, description of the use
restrictions, and a description of the eligibility requirements.
D. Acceptance/Rejection/Notification to Remaining Applicants
1. Accepted Applications
Applicants accepted for occupancy were notified verbally and in
writing and had a period of 7 business days to accept or refuse the
apartment offer after such notification.
A copy of this letter was attached to the application and sent via US
Mail.
A thirty (30) day period to process applications is approved during
lease-up.
E. Processing Applications
1. All applications followed the Avalon Communities qualification process.
This process is based on income and credit standing.
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2. All applicants offered an apartment had to pass a credit screening and provide
verification of their household income.
3. Criminal background checks (CORI) are not part of the pre-qualification
process.
F. Rejected Applicants
1. Applicants for affordable apartments deemed unacceptable for occupancy
were notified in writing with the specific reasons for rejection(s), the
appropriate point of contact to review the accuracy of the information
received. Ex. Reporting credit bureau. There is not a formal appeal process,
but the owner will discuss the rejection reason with the applicant and may
accept additional information, which may overturn the decision.
2. Applicants deemed ineligible for occupancy (due to family size, invalidity or
absence of a certificate, or inability to live independently) were notified in
writing with the specific reason(s).
G. Notification to Remaining Applicants
1. Remaining applicants were informed in writing as quickly as possible that all
apartments had been committed.
It must be stated that they should seek housing elsewhere.
They can be told that AvalonBay will keep their name on file should
an affordable apartment become available in the future. The applicant
will still need to meet the income qualifications.
H. Applications Received after the Open Enrollment Period
1. Applications received after the open enrollment deadline was not part of the
lottery.
2. Applicants were placed on a waitlist by bedroom size based upon the date an
application is received. This includes inquiries after the initial affordable
apartments are leased.
3. As apartments become available, applicants will be contacted for interest in
the affordable apartment and will be asked to provide additional
documentation to ensure eligibility.
VI. Affordable Housing Application Process: The following application process is
followed after the initial open enrollment and lottery process at Avalon Natick.
A. Pre-Applications- available in the Avalon Natick leasing office, via email through a
request to MABlueSkies@avalonbay.com or an applicant can request to have a hard
copy of the pre-application mailed or faxed to them by calling 508-975-4333.
1. Applicants interested in an affordable apartment must complete an Affordable
Housing Questionnaire (i.e. a pre-application). The pre-application lists
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contact information, household information, and a self-reported household
income value.
2. Approved Questionnaires will be time and date stamped upon receipt.
3. Applicants will be placed on the waiting list for the apartment type they
applied for (1 or 2 bedrooms). See Section B.
B. Affordable Housing Waitlist Policy
1. A separate waitlist is maintained for each apartment with a specific
number of bedrooms (studios,1,2,3, etc), and for each program type (50%,
60%, 80%). There are separate lists for each apartment type (1, 2 bdrms)
for the Avalon Natick 80% program.
2. Applicants may be on more than one waitlist at any given community.
3. A separate list must be maintained for handicapped accessible requests
(units with adaptive features). As accessible apartments are available,
these applicants receive priority for these apartments.
4. Applicants are added to the waitlist by the date they submit a pre-application
and by preference points, if applicable.
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5. Pre-applications for persons with disabilities who require a reasonable
accommodation with the applications process will be time/date stamped
prior to being provided to such applicants. This time/date stamp will be
used to place the applicant on the waitlist as long as it is not post marked
more than 30 days of the time/date stamp.
6. Preference- Existing residents seeking transfer within the community for
needs-based requests or compliance reasons will receive preference.
Transfer requests based on a “want” will not be given priority over new
applicants.
7. Applicants that meet the minimum household size standards as described
in Section III will receive preference above those that do not meet this
standard.
- Within the applicant pool, second preference is given to
households requiring the number of bedrooms in the unit minus
one, based on the minimum household criteria.
- Within the applicant pool, third preference is given to households
requiring the number of bedrooms in the unit minus one, based on
the minimum household criteria.
8. As apartments become available, the community must contact applicant at
the top of the waitlist.
9. Applicants are allowed 2 opportunities to decline an apartment (a non-
response is considered a decline). An applicant will be removed from the
waitlist after declining an apartment twice.
10. A waitlist should be updated on an annual basis to ensure the most up to
date information is captured. Additionally, the waitlist should be updated
to remain consistent with the objectives of the housing program, and are
adequately representative of the racial, ethnic and other characteristics of
potential applicants in the housing market region.
11. The waitlist may be closed if the waiting period for applicant is estimated
to be greater than two years. Factors such as the number of households
remaining on the list, the likelihood of the continuing eligibility of such
households, and the demographic diversity of such households may also
impact the status of the list, subject to the approval of the subsidizing
agency.
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12. The waitlist for each apartment size should contain enough applicants
anticipated to be placed in the next 12 months. If the Avalon Natick
waitlist is closed, the owner will begin to re-market the affordable
apartments if the number of applicants on the waitlist for any given
apartment size does not contain a sufficient number of applicants. Re-
marketing will include activities described in Section II.
C. Lease-Up Records
1. The Owner/Agent will maintain records with regard to the processing of
market applications to ensure they are in compliance with DHCD statutory
requirements for income verification as discussed earlier.
a) These records will be maintained for a period of at least seven
(7) years.
b) The analyst must be kept aware of ongoing lease-up
procedures for the moderate income apartments conducted
with local housing authorities to determine adequacy of
marketing efforts, coordinate assignment of apartments if
required, and receive a list of all approved low
income/moderate income applicants.
c) Analysts must ensure utilization of the Resident Location
Plan.
d) Records to be maintained in the permanent applicant file are:
(a) Credit References
(b) Income Verification
(c) Approval/Rejection/Ineligibility Letters
VII. Outreach Contact List
Additional Outreach contacts in the area to be provided by DHCD and Local housing authority
PRINTED MEDIA
The Boston Globe
PO Box 2378
13. 12
Boston, MA 02107
The Metro West Daily News
33 New York Ave. Framingham , MA 01701
617-929-2154 (Diane Mclcahey)
The Bay State Banner
African American
925 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02124
617-261-4600 (Janine Carr)
El Mundo
Hispanic
20 Columbia Road
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-522-5050 (Lisa ext 236)
Sing Tao
Asian
246 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA
917-426-9642 (Mr.Yan)
Sampan
Asian
90 Tyler Street
Boston, MA 02124
917-426-8673 (Georgiana)
LOCAL AND REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITIES AND AGENCIES
Natick Housing Authority
4 Cottage Street
Natick, MA 01760
Dover Housing Partnership
5 Springdale Avenue
P.O. Box 250
Dover, MA 02030
Framingham Housing Authority
One John J. Brady Drive
Framingham, MA 01702
Needham Housing Authority
28 Captain Robert Cook Drive
Needham, MA 02494
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Sherborn Housing Committee
19 Washington Street
Sherborn, MA 01770
Sudbury Housing Authority
55 Hudson Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
Wayland Housing Authority
106 Main Street
Wayland, MA 01778-4939
Wellesley Housing Authority
109 Barton Road
Wellesley, MA 02481
Weston Affordable Housing Trust
11 town House Road
PO Box 378
Weston, MA 02493
CIVIC GROUPS, SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES, AND OTHER NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS
Natick Town Hall
13 East Central Street
Natick, MA 01760
Natick Public Schools
13 East Central Street
Natick, MA 01760
Natick Public Library- Morse Institute Library
14 East Central Street
Natick, MA 01760
Natick Service Council Inc
2 Webster St.
Natick, MA 01760
Natick Family Network
179 Boden Ln,
Natick, MA 01760
Natick Lions Club
Natick, MA 01760
Social Services of New England Inc
15. 14
17 W Central St.
Natick, MA 01760
Elks Lodge
95 Speen St.
Natick, MA 01760
Bright Beginnings Children Ctr
28 Wellesley Rd.
Natick, MA 01760
American Red Cross
116 Concord St.
Framingham, MA 01702
Adolescent Consultation Services Inc
110 Mount Wayte Ave
Framingham, MA 01702
Life Experience School
2 N Main St
Sherborn, MA 01770
Dover Town Hall
5 Springdale Ave
P.O. Box 250
Dover, MA 02030
Framingham Town Hall
150 Concord St.
Framingham, MA 01702
Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
Sherborn Town Hall
19 Washington Street
Sherborn, MA 01770
Sudbury Town Hall
322 Concord Road
Sudbury, MA 01779-1800
Wayland Town Hall
41 Cochituate Road
Wayland, MA 01778-2614
Wellesley Town Hall
525 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
16. 15
Weston Town Hall
11 Townhouse Road
Weston, MA 02493-2000
Massachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus
470 Washington St. Suite #6
Norwood, MA 02062
Rotary International – Natick
Dolphin Restaurant
12 Washington Street
Natick, MA
Rotary International – Charles River (Wellesley-Natick)
Courtyard Marriott Natick
342 Speen Street
Natick, MA
Rotary International- Framingham
Ken’s Steak House
95 Worcester Road
Framingham MA
Rotary International- Needham
Needham Sheraton Hotel
100 Cobot Street
Needham Heights, MA
Rotary International- Sudbury
Wayside Inn
72 Wayside Inn Road
Sudbury, MA
Rotary International- Weston
Weston Golf Club
275 Meadowbrook Road
Weston, MA
Freemason Lodge
1101 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
Bautista Enrico
1300 Worcester St.
Natick MA 01760
Park Square Revival Corporation
405 Cochituate Rd
Framingham, MA 01701
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Metro West Bridge Christian Fellowship
7 Strathmore Rd
Natick, MA 01760
Hartford Street Presbyterian Church
99 Hartford St
Natick, MA 01760
Saint Linus Rectory
119 Hartford St
Natick, MA 01760
Church of Christ in Natick
324 N Main St.
Natick, MA 01760
Pilgrim Church
25 Main St.
Wayland, MA 01778
Saint Theresa Rectory
35 Main St.
Wayland, MA 01778
Congregation Sar Shalom
841 Worcester St #127
Natick, MA 01760
Community United Methodist Church
5 Damon St
Wayland, MA 01778
Christian Science Reading Room
971 Concord St. Ste 6
Framingham, MA 01701
Temple Israel of Natick
145 Harford St.
Natick, MA 01760
St. Zepherin’s Rectory
99 Main St.
Wayland, MA 01778
Christian Science Church
887 Concord St.
Framingham, MA 01701
St. George’s CCD
74 School St.
Framingham, MA 01701
18. 17
Wesley Methodist Church
8 Fairbanks Way
Framingham, MA 01701
Fisk Memorial United Methodist Church
106 Walnut St.
Natick, MA 01760
Renewed Baptist Church
1 C St.
Framingham, MA 01760
Boston Taiwanese Christian Church
15 Elm St
Framingham, MA 01701
Albanian Orthodox Church of the Annunciation
37 Washington Ave
Natick, MA 01760
Edwards Church Uee
39 Edwards St
Framingham, MA 01701
Victory Baptist Church
7 Park Ave
Framingham, MA 01701
Celebration International Church
6 Loker St.
Wayland, MA 01778
Wellesley Park Assembly of God
6 Loker St.
Wayland, MA 01778
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Avalon Natick– Affordable Housing Questionnaire
Free Translation/Language Assistance Available Upon Request
Applicants with disabilities may request modifications to the rental unit and/or accommodations to our
rules, policies, practices or services, if such modifications or accommodations are necessary to afford an
equal opportunity to use and enjoy the premises
NAME OF PRIMARY APPLICANT: __________________________Date of birth____________
Other applicants: Name__________________________Date of birth______________________
Name__________________________Date of birth______________________
Name__________________________Date of birth______________________
PHONE:____________________ CELL:______________________ EMAIL:_____________________
CURRENT ADDRESS: _________________________________________________
Street Number & Name City St Zip
**Each occupant 18 years of age and older must complete an Application for Residency prior to Occupancy**
1) How many persons will be occupying the apartment home? _______________________
2) How many persons, including yourself, will be full time students? __________________
**Specific Guidelines apply please call the community for details**
3) What is your combined total gross annual household income from all sources? $
4) What size apartment home are you interested in? (circle one): Studio One Two Three
5) Anticipated Move-in Date:________________________________
6) Do you have any pets? (circle one) No Yes If yes, how many? _____ For Dogs What Breed and
weight?_________________________________
7) Do you have a Housing Choice Voucher? (circle one) No Yes ______________________
Housing Authority Name____________________________________________________
9) List the AvalonBay Communities and/or Massachusetts towns where you want to live:
AvalonBay Communities:
1. 2.
10) Are you currently on any other waitlist for AvalonBay Communities? (circle one) No Yes If yes, which
communities? ________________________________________________________________________
11) Do you have any special housing needs? If so, please explain:
12) Are you currently homeless? YesNo (If yes, you must provide a letter from the shelter you currently reside)
If you will soon be homeless, list the approximate date of homelessness: __________________
Please return the completed questionnaire to: MABlueSkies@avalonbay.com; or (2) fax 508-975-4331 or (3)
mail or drop-off at Avalon Natick Leasing Office ATTN: Affordable Housing 3 Chrysler Road Natick, MA 01760