Meet Barney Heath

Q: Most of your career was in planning, culminating as the Director of Planning and Development for our neighbor, Newton. What got you interested in the field? 

I was raised in Boston and always had an affinity and interest in how cities and communities work. I also had a desire to work in the public service/non-profit world. My career in planning has allowed me to serve in these capacities.

Q: What did your role in Newton involve?

I was fortunate to lead the Planning Department which had responsibility for planning and zoning, housing and community development, economic development, transportation planning, conservation and historic preservation.

Q: You are now the Executive Director of the Metro West Collaborative. Can you tell us about their mission? 

Happy to – Metro West had their start in Watertown in 1991 as Watertown Community Housing. Their mission then has remained Metro West’s mission today: to help provide affordable housing to families and individuals most in need. We do that in a variety of ways from helping people find affordable apartments (through our housing search clinics) to building affordable housing (we own and manage 194 units of affordable housing in four communities including Watertown and have affordable housing projects underway in Newton and Natick).

Q: What drew you to take on this new role?

My work in planning has always been rooted in providing opportunity for folks and being able to access safe and affordable housing is a fundamental step. I was familiar with the great work Metro West was doing and welcomed the opportunity to be part of their mission.

Q: You’ve worked on housing issues for many years. Why is building more affordable housing so important right now?

The cost of housing is insane. Our fellow Massachusetts residents, from kids getting their first apartment to our older adults seeking security in a home to working families, are faced with a terrible dilemma that didn’t use to exist and we somehow have become accepting of it.

Q: People often ask whether building any housing, even market-rate housing, helps make housing more affordable overall. How do you think about that question?

That is a question for academics to answer fully with the benefit of time. But short answer is when there isn’t adequate supply of the product, there is greater competition (and higher prices that can be commanded) for the housing supply that does exist at all levels.

Q: In built-out communities like ours, what’s the case for adding denser housing?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some folks just don’t like the look of denser housing and worry about the traffic and/or the schools.

But the people that live in these newly built homes want to live here and be part of the community. And they help support our businesses with their patronage and help support our overall tax base.

To circle back to adding to the supply of affordable, attainable housing, each of these new developments have a set-side of units that are reserved for low and moderate income households to occupy.

Q: Some people worry that new development isn’t “green.” Can denser housing in already developed towns actually be better for the environment than building further out on open space?

Having housing near employment centers and transit means that those same people are not living somewhere further from their livelihoods and interests and driving through Watertown from the suburbs, for example, to get somewhere. New housing that is built today must meet very stringent energy code requirements which serves to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Q: Ok, let's turn to you. What made you decide to move to Watertown?

When we were looking to relocate to the Boston area, we wanted a convenient, walkable and fun place to live with most everything at our fingertips – Watertown checked all those boxes.

Q: As a relatively new resident, what has surprised you most about the community? Any new favorite restaurants, shops, or activities since moving here?

I love the mix of old and new – it is a city in transition which is healthy. And we love a couple spots on Mt. Auburn St – Uncommon Grounds and Red Lentil.

Q: What do you like to do for fun? 

My wife, Elisa, and I love to walk in Mt. Auburn cemetery and are looking forward to the milder weather.

Q: And what are you reading or watching these days?

Trying to balance the heavy news these days with pure escapism, we have been watching episodes of the Great British Baking Show to relax.