Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- A ribbon cutting at 250 Centre Street, opposite the Jackson Square MBTA station, not only celebrated the completion of a mixed-income apartment building, but the knitting back together of a neighborhood demolished more than 50 years ago. The building has 100 units, 76 of which are targeted to middle-income residents and low-income residents.

BEVERLY --- The city has agreed to contribute $450,000 toward phase two of the Anchor Point affordable housing development. Beverly committed $400,000 in CPA money to phase two last year. But Harborlight Homes came back to the city seeking more money because of a budget gap of about $6 million due to rising interest rates and construction costs. The first phase, which has 38 units, opened last year. The second phase will have 39 units and is scheduled to be under construction in 2024.

NEWTON --- After months of debate, Newton City Council passed zoning changes allowing for denser multifamily housing in several key corridors of the city near transit in an effort to comply with the state's MBTA Communities law.

NEWTON --- Beginning in 2021, officials held community events and solicited feedback on a plan to meet requirements of the state law mandating more multifamily housing in communities served by the MBTA. Now, however, support for the city’s plan may be cooling. In the Nov. 7 local election, five newcomers won City Council seats after being backed by groups critical of the development plans.

NEWTON --- With weeks left before a state-imposed deadline, Greater Boston cities and towns are in the home stretch to comply with the historic MBTA Communities Law and enact new zoning plans to allow more housing development. The town of Newton is among them.

HOLYOKE --- The Holyoke Redevelopment Authority is working with Winn Development to create 88 units of affordable housing for people 55 and older at the former Farr Alpaca Mills site. The first phrase of the Residences on Appleton is expected to be completed by spring 2025. The one- and two-bedroom units will be designed to be affordable to those making 30 to 80 percent of area median income.