I live in Easthampton and I am employed in Northampton as a clinical social worker. For personal and professional reasons, I am deeply invested in expanding affordable housing in Easthampton and beyond. While the proposed Tasty Top LLC development in Easthampton contains affordable housing units, I think the negative environmental impact of this project outweighs the benefits.

Yes, we need affordable housing, housing in general, child care and healthy recreation. But at what cost? I note that increasingly this project is promoted due to affordable housing units the developers have included for tax relief. It is also promoted due to much-needed child care services locally.

Current and prospective residents must ask ourselves to what degree this project is good for the developers and to what extent does it serve our lower-income residents and prospective residents?

Kate Banigan-White

Easthampton