Over the past decade, Haverhill has seen an influx of large-scale residential and mixed-use developments, many approved with minimal resistance from City Hall. While some of these projects have brought new residents and economic activity, they have also created serious challenges:

Overcrowded Schools: Classroom space is limited, forcing schools to rely on portable classrooms or overcrowded conditions.

Traffic Congestion: New developments have increased vehicle traffic, particularly in areas already struggling with bottlenecks.

Strained Utilities: Our water and sewer systems are at their limits, with pressure drops and overflows becoming more common.

Loss of Community Character: Large, luxury developments often cater to higher-income renters and out-of-town investors rather than local working families.

Speculative Buying: Private equity firms and corporate landlords are purchasing single-family homes, driving up prices and reducing opportunities for first-time buyers.

The current model favors quick developer profits over long-term community stability. Without intervention, Haverhill risks becoming unaffordable for its own residents.

A city where:

- New development happens responsibly and strategically.

- Working families can afford to live in the neighborhoods they grew up in.

- Infrastructure is upgraded before, not after, new projects are approved.

- Local ownership is protected, preventing speculative investors from monopolizing the housing market.

Temporary Development Moratorium

- Pause approvals for large-scale residential projects until updated infrastructure impact studies are complete.

- Exempt small-scale, resident-owned projects that enhance existing neighborhoods.

Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance

- Require all major developments to include a percentage of affordable units.

- Tie affordability to local income levels, not Boston-area metrics.

Ban on Private Equity Purchases of Single-Family Homes

- Introduce an ordinance restricting non-local corporate entities from buying up single-family homes in bulk.

- Offer incentives for local first-time homebuyers.

Developer Infrastructure Accountability

- Require developers to fully fund necessary water, sewer, road, and public safety upgrades tied to their projects.

- Enforce these requirements through binding development agreements before any permits are issued.

Neighborhood Impact Hearings

- Mandate public hearings for any project exceeding a set size threshold.

- Give residents a formal role in shaping development conditions.