Wayland Housing Authority debates shared-living use for 212 Cochituate Road

WAYLAND — December 11, 2023 — Wayland Housing Authority weighs shared-living redevelopment of long-vacant 212 Cochituate Road. Members reviewed a memo from Mr. Hummel on the tax-title parcel, which the town took last year after roughly 30 years of vacancy, and discussed splitting off a market-rate lot to subsidize a home for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Brian Bush, a former state employee, warned that DMH and DDS no longer fund traditional group homes and outlined an RFP path involving nonprofit operators such as Advocates, Charles River or Minuteman Arc. "You can't just build it and they will come," he said, pushing parallel talks with state funders. Member Russ Ashton urged a broader partnership with Gov. Maura Healey to bundle distressed parcels. No vote was taken; the authority adjourned upstairs to join the housing partnership meeting.