Preston — Residents are being asked to give input for a new affordable housing plan in response to state legislation that calls for all cities and towns to complete a five-year affordable housing plan by June 1.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is working with Carly Holzschuh, a planner with the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, to write the new plan, which will specify how the town will address housing needs. The commission is seeking residents’ input through a new survey posted on the town website, preston-ct.org.

According to a news release provided by Holzschuh, affordable housing means families earning 80% or less of the area’s median income pay no more than 30% of their income for housing.

For Preston and other towns in southeastern Connecticut, a single person making less than $56,000 a year, or a family of four making less than $80,000 a year would qualify. Amid ripple effects from COVID-19, single-family median home sale prices in Preston have jumped from $222,500 in 2019 to $291,450 in 2020, a 31% increase in one year, according to the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors, making housing affordability and supply a pressing challenge in the region, Holzschuh said.

The survey asks residents for their thoughts on town demographics, their vision for the future of their community, and if they have had any hardships paying their rent or mortgage, especially due to COVID-19.

“Affordable housing" is primarily housing that can fit in the budget of workers such as teachers, firefighters, police officers, people who work in Town Hall,” an introduction to the online survey states, “and people who work in service professions such as retail (a single person earning less than $56,000 a year, or a family of four earning less than $80,000 a year).”

The first five questions ask residents whether they agree, strongly agree, disagree or strongly disagree on issues such as whether Preston should seek to attract young families to town, whether young families “are a sign of a thriving community” and whether senior citizens wishing to downsize should have affordable housing options in town.

Combining those issues, one question asks for opinions on whether “Investing in a range of housing options in Preston is an investment in the future of the Town, including affordable housing for seniors and first-time homebuyers.”

The survey continues with open-ended questions on what residents “love about living in Preston” and what challenges homeowners face in town and whether they struggle to pay rent or mortgages.

Residents also are asked what types of affordable housing they think would be a “good fit for Preston,” including senior and disabilities housing, single-family homes, units with federally subsidized rent, subdivisions with some affordable housing and rental apartments.

The final section asks for respondents’ demographic information.

Responses will help the Planning and Zoning Commission set priorities and recommendations for the next five years, Holzschuh said. The commission will reach out to residents again in spring before the plan is finalized, she said.

c.bessette@theday.com