Housing Headlines

Gloucester --- Valerina Gloucester LLC is seeking to amend the existing permit for an eight-townhouse condominium to pay a fee “in lieu” rather than build an affordable unit onsite. The attorney on behalf of the owner states that more good can be done to address East Gloucester’s workforce housing needs by contributing to the affordable housing trust fund rather than building a standalone on-site unit. The matter has been continued to the Council’s next planning and development committee meeting scheduled for June 21.

WILLIAMSTOWN --- By a handful of votes, a motion to expand zoning for manufactured homes failed at town meeting. The proposal called for a zoning reclassification of manufactured mobile homes as a single-family residence. Planning Board member Stephanie Boyd said the move would have addressed the town's affordable housing concerns. A realtor speaking at the meeting stated that the proposed reclassification would not change the reality that manufactured mobile homes depreciate in value.

SOMERVILLE --- Residents prepared to deliver copies of a petition to city hall and a developer demanding that work on an affordable housing development get underway. Developer Union Square Station Associates has committed to building 51 housing units, 39 of which would be affordable, on a parcel on Webster Avenue. Residents say they're tired of delays.

WORCESTER --- Worcester City Manager Eric Batista has presented a housing production plan and affordable housing preservation program to City Council to address the city's housing crisis. the housing strategy consists of three pillars: housing production preservation and healthy homes; homeowner, tenant and unhoused assistance; and public policy. While the city recently passed an inclusionary zoning policy that will require developments of 12 units or more to reserve 10 to 15 percent of their units for affordable housing, Batista said additional initiatives are needed.

NANTUCKET --- Town meeting voters approved a $6.5 million permanent tax override to fund affordable-housing initiatives by a wide margin. This in the wake of the island’s real estate boom and deepening housing crisis.

STATE -- About a dozen cities and towns are asking state lawmakers for permission to impose a local transfer tax on the sale of real estate to raise revenue for affordable housing. Proposals have failed in the past and faced stiff opposition from the real estate industry, but with a new governor in office and heightened urgency, advocates say momentum and optimism are on the increase.