Housing Headlines

NEWTON --- In a few weeks the village center overlay proposal is expected to come up for a vote, allowing Newton to meet the requirements of the state’s MBTA Communities Law. The new rules would encourage preservation of existing homes over tear downs, creation of smaller, multifamily homes close to village centers and above existing shops and eliminate some of the challenging regulations that have made it hard to open a business there. At the final public hearing, a majority of the speakers opposed the changes.

NEW BEDFORD --- At a recent first-time homebuyer event at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, organizations, mortgage lenders and agencies, including HUD, offered assistance to first-time homebuyers. The purpose of the event was to connect people with the resources that can make becoming a homeowner within reach, including downpayment assistance programs and homebuyer education courses.

BOSTON --- Massport selected a team of The Community Builders and Menkiti Group to develop the first income-restricted housing development in Boston's Seaport District. The plan calls for a 15-story, 200-unit complex next to the agency’s 1,500-space South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center on D Street. All units will be reserved for households earning 30 to 120 percent of area median income, which translates to a range of $31,170 to $124,680 for a 1-person household.

BOSTON --- Local and state officials, and residents celebrated the grand opening of Parkway 1208, a new energy-efficient, transit-oriented affordable housing development of 60 income-restricted apartments. The acquisition of the land at 1208D VFW Parkway was made possible by Boston-based B’nai B’rith Housing. This marks the first construction of affordable residences in West Roxbury since 2013.

BRIDGEWATER --- A ribbon cutting marked the grand opening of McElwain School Apartments, Bridgewater's newest housing development and testament to preserving history while embracing modern living, offering both affordable and market-rate apartments. The former elementary school building had been vacant since 1994. The complex is now home to 57 households.

STATE --- A WBUR and Pro Publica investigation finds that local housing agencies have repurposed 120 subsidized apartment units across the state despite a long waitlist for affordable housing. Many housing agencies are quietly using subsidized apartments for other purposes, like office space, laundry rooms and storage. The investigation found that one cause of prolonged vacancies is the flawed online waitlist system the state launched four years ago.