AMHERST — Even with several residential developments in the pipeline or under construction in Amherst, including some aimed at providing homes for low- and moderate-income individuals and families, the town is looking at creating new opportunities for addressing a continued housing shortage.

With a draft housing production plan suggesting that 700 to 900 new housing units be built by 2030, a mostly vacant former school building in South Amherst is being eyed for its potential to anchor a development.

On Wednesday, residents are invited to explore how the building and 3-acre site at 1001 South East St. could be used. The visioning session, to run from 5 to 7 p.m. at Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East St, will be in partnership with Joy Squared Architects of Boston, formerly the Narrow Gate, with various ideas to be discussed.

After the session, Joy Squared will prepare three concepts varying in density, unit size, building type and targeted demographics.

The following evening, also at Munson and from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the town is holding a presentation on how to build an accessory dwelling unit, using provisions of the new state law that allows these to be built by right and, in Amherst, no longer requires either the ADU or the main house to be owner-occupied.

“There’s no single solution to our housing challenges, but through learning, dialogue and collaboration we can pursue multiple strategies,” Associate Planner & Housing Coordinator Greg Richane said in a statement. “Whether it’s through mobilizing town assets or empowering homeowners, we can make incremental, responsible progress that meets real needs.”

The meetings come as one development is under construction in North Amherst, off Montague Road and Pulpit Hill Road. Valley Community Development’s Amherst Community Homes is a 15 duplex condominium site that will give 30 families a first-time home ownership opportunity.

The South Amherst School site is another mostly vacant, similar to the East Street School that is being incorporated into a $27 million Wayfinders, 78-unit mixed-income development. That has gone through Zoning Board of Appeals permitting, but Town Manager Paul Bockelman said state funding didn’t come through this year, meaning the project is being delayed.

Another town-owned site contemplated for development is the former VFW site on Main Street. That has been cleared, with concepts from Joy Squared for affordable apartments, including some for veterans, the Craig’s Place shelter, currently located in a North Amherst church and a former Hadley hotel, and other supportive services.

Other private developments are also underway, including the 63 units at 45-55 South Pleasant St. that initially will be for Amherst College students, though the developer committed to making a $1.1 million donation to the housing trust to support affordable housing initiatives, and the 77-unit Campus View apartments at the corner of Amity Street and University Drive, while plans for 140 units across from Hampshire College and next to Atkins Farms Country Market are being reviewed.

Gastón de los Reyes, who chairs the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, said that accessory dwelling units could be another way to alleviate the pressure on the town’s housing stock.

“The town’s housing production plan has shown that while the vast majority of seniors in Amherst would like to stay here, there are too few affordable alternatives for them to do so” de los Reyes said. “I am particularly excited about the potential of ADUs to make single-family homeownership more affordable while creating right-sized, accessible dwellings for our elders.”

Put on by the housing trust and participating partners, the session will include representatives from Greenfield Savings Bank, Lighthouse Credit Union, Rare Forms Locally Grown Homes, Wright Builders, Backyard ADUs and the town’s buildings department.

“There is a housing crisis in our town, our state, and our nation. I see ADU construction as an important opportunity for Amherst to increase the number, diversity, and affordability of our homes,” said Carol Lewis, who also serves on the housing trust.

The focus on housing will continue when Richane joins Bockelman for his monthly Cuppa Joe with Paul June 13 at 8 a.m. at The Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main St.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.