MIDDLEBORO — What kind of housing works best for Middleboro?

Residents are asked to answer that question, consider housing type options and express their opinions in a survey sponsored by the town and the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, also known as SRPEDD.

Those answers matter, said Town Planner Leeann Bradley. Knowing what residents want can help the town develop a thorough and accurate housing production plan.

The survey asks what kind of housing Middleboro needs, the ideal cost for a starter home and what potential changes should be made to the town’s housing stock, among other issues. 

As of Thursday, Nov. 3, only 145 residents had responded to the survey out of more than 20,000 town residents. “I would like to see 1,000’’ responses, Bradley said. “The more [answers] we have, we can design our plan based on what people in our town want and don’t want.’’

Resident opinions on housing are especially timely now, she said, with the state calling for zoning changes for communities near MBTA commuter stations. This could require Middleboro to provide zoning for 1,471 multi-family units within a half-mile of the train station. 

Having this zoning in place does not guarantee that these units will be built, but if a developer expresses interest, they have to be allowed to pursue the project by right, Bradley said.

Knowing how people in town feel about this housing can help the town better work with the state legislature about these changes, she said.

The town has heard from residents that housing for the elderly and options for families are among the housing concerns in Middleboro, Bradley said. “We do want to do everything we can to be able to house the elderly,’’ she said. 

Veterans housing is another priority, she said. “We’d really like to work on that right now,’’ she said.

Another item mentioned in the survey is what has been described as the lack of “middle’’ housing for those whose incomes exceed the requirements for affordable housing but who cannot afford a 3,000 square foot, $900,000 home on one acre of land.

Bradley encouraged people to answer the survey questions and use the areas that request written comments. Reading written opinions “can be helpful,’’ she said.

To take the survey, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/Middleborough-Housing. The survey will be available through Nov. 19.