This article was originally published in the March 3rd, 2026 edition of the Gloucester Daily Times and re-shared with permission from its author

My View | Peggy Hegarty-Steck

As Gloucester and communities across Massachusetts face a worsening affordable housing crisis, the city of Gloucester is working to develop its housing strategy for the next five years through its Gloucester Housing Compass Plan. It is a perfect time to reflect on local affordable housing successes — and determine what more needs to be done. With more than 41% of Gloucester households paying 30% or more of their income towards rent or a mortgage, we have more housing cost burdened residents than ever before.

One local housing success story is Harbor Village. A once-vacant property on Main Street is a model for affordable housing, energy efficiency, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization. Where the former Cameron’s restaurant sat empty for years, Harbor Village now stands as a vibrant, mixed-use building. It includes 30 energy-efficient, affordable apartments for individuals and families; retail storefronts; and two public murals celebrating Gloucester’s rich history. Harbor Village is one of the first affordable housing projects in Massachusetts to be Passive House certified, the world’s leading standard in energy efficient construction.

Harbor Village is the result of a six-year effort by Action Inc. and North Shore Community Development Coalition. It took vision, persistence, and above all, listening — especially when residents voiced concerns about the project. During community meetings in 2015, we heard fears about traffic, density, spaces for children, and the character of downtown. There was vocal resistance to the idea of affordable housing on Main Street, and skepticism about affordable housing in general.

We also heard from many who supported the project and understood the urgency of Gloucester’s housing needs. Harbor Village was an opportunity — not just for housing, but to bring life, public art, and business to Main Street. We listened to the community, especially abutters, and we adapted our design. We moved forward through permitting and funding processes. The building opened its doors in July 2021.

Now, almost five years later, we can all look back and ask: did those fears come true?

The answer is no; they did not. In fact, for months after the building opened, people continued to ask me when residents would be moving in; it was so quiet, they had not realized the building was already fully occupied. Harbor Village did not disrupt downtown, it quietly enhanced it. A vacant lot became a beautiful building that reflects the surrounding architecture, houses families, rents local storefronts to businesses, and adds vibrancy to the heart of the city.

Too often, affordable housing proposals are met with strong resistance due to misinformation and misunderstanding. As we look ahead, Harbor Village reminds us of what is possible. It shows that well-designed, community-driven, affordable housing projects not only help solve urgent housing needs — they make neighborhoods stronger.

As a community, we need to come together and support the development of more housing for people with low and moderate incomes. Without it, Gloucester will only continue to become less and less affordable for the people who keep this community running every day.

Peggy Hegarty-Steck is the CEO of Action Inc. For 60 years, the Gloucester-based human services nonprofit has been throwing a lifeline to those in need in Greater Cape Ann of fuel assistance, shelter, housing, education and other vital services.