Housing Headlines

HOLYOKE --- Renters expressed their concerns about rising rents, lack of affordable housing, poor conditions and the need for a tenant's bill of rights during a Holyoke City Council Public Safety Committee hearing. One resident spoke about poor conditions in her building, including leaky pipes, a faulty ceiling, an illegal heating system and rodents. Ward 5 Councilor Linda Vacon said she has “actively” sought increased enforcement related to housing issues. She gave out her cell phone number to hearing participants.

SALISBURY --- The Supreme Judicial Court has upheld a provision in the state’s new housing choice law that allows developers of affordable housing to ask opponents to post a bond in some cases. The ruling came in the case of a group of abutters and others objecting to a condominium development plan that includes affordable units. At issue was whether the bond provision applies to comprehensive permits issued under “40B.” The court ruled that it does.

AUBURN --- A 60-unit mixed-income development for seniors is opening at 3 Vinal St. The Julia Bancroft Apartments project is led by developer Pennrose Properties. The development is a rehabilitation of Julia Bancroft Elementary School. It offers 45 units for residents at or below 60 percent of area median income with the remainder at market rate. This is the second historic school in Auburn to be redeveloped into senior housing by Pennrose, the first being the Mary D. Stone School. MHP provided a $1.8 million permanent loan for the Stone project from its bank-funded loan pool.

SOUTHAMPTON --- At a special town meeting voters approved establishing a municipal affordable housing trust. About 2 percent of the homes in Southampton are considered affordable, far below the state requirement of 10 percent. The Select Board will appoint a board of five trustees who will govern the trust. Creating affordable housing has been a high priority in the town’s housing production plan and has also been a goal outlined in the town’s master plan. MHP has been working with the town on creating a housing trust.

WORCESTER --- The announcement of new developments in Worcester seems like an almost weekly occurrence. It’s been a wild ride for development proposals in the city. One highly visible example of the fits and starts in new developments are those planned around the $160-million Polar Park baseball stadium. Those projects have had delays, with the first one of the buildings expected to open next year and the last phase not expected until 2025 or later.

PELHAM --- There was a first in Gov. Baker's announcement of funding for affordable housing development last week as it was announced that the small town of Pelham (population 1,322) will receive federal and state tax credits and other funds for the development of 34 affordable apartments. To be developed by Springfield-based Home City Development, the project - known as Amethyst Brook Apartments - will consist of two buildings that will be constructed on eight acres of land one mile east of the Amherst town line.