Ridgway will be most successful in creating less expensive housing by becoming more flexible in the types of housing it allows and loosening restrictions, rather than encouraging a host of new construction projects, a consultant told town leaders and residents on Monday.

“Most of the housing you will have already exists. If you think you’re going to define a new thing and build your way out of the affordable housing problem, you’re deluding yourself,” said Don Elliott, a director with Cla...