Housing Headlines

WORCESTER --- The first phase of a multiphase project is about to get underway at 120 Washington Street to develop a seven-floor building with 83 units of affordable housing. The building is at the site of the former Table Talk Pies company and near Worcester Red Sox Park. Plans by Boston Capital call for the building to open in 2024. MHP has committed $7.1 million in financing for this development.

NEW BEDFORD --- Because of the recent purchase of a New Bedford apartment complex, tenants are scrambling to find other housing. The building at 189-193 Elm Street dates back to the early 1900s. The new owners say they are planing significant upgrades and have worked to help tenants find housing. Some tenants fear they won’t find rentals they can afford.

NEWBURYPORT --- The City of Newburyport says it is planning to use a new $50,000 state grant to explore zoning updates along its waterfront so as to allow for development that will address climate change, create more residential units and make the district compliant with the state's new zoning requirement for MBTA communities. “This grant will allow us to expand housing opportunities and provide additional transportation to the residents of Newburyport, while mitigating the impacts of climate change,” said Mayor Sean Reardon of the funds, which was made by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Land Use Planning Program.

WORCESTER --- A dramatic increase in rent during the past six years has some residents leaving Worcester, which was formerly known for its affordability. Small communities around Central Massachusetts feel the pressure to accommodate the housing needs of people moving in. Worcester officials are considering mandating that all new housing complexes include a certain percentage of units affordable for lower-income households.

BOSTON --- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is asking the state to partner with the city to construct 1,000 housing units outside of Boston for people experiencing homelessness and addiction. During a news conference, the mayor talked about the city’s response to the crisis along Mass. Ave and Melnea Cass Boulevard, where the combination of treatment services and availability of drugs has drawn people from across the region. Wu said the city has created 192 “low-threshold” housing units for people suffering from addiction.

WORCESTER --- The Central Mass. Housing Alliance is getting $2.6 million to address youth homelessness in Worcester County, one of three Massachusetts regions to receive such support from the federal government. In the last year, Worcester County has seen a 37 percent increase in unsheltered youth, said CMHA CEO Leah Bradley. CMHA will use the funds to create more transitional and permanent housing options. Others receiving funds are Lynn ($2.3M) and Barnstable County ($1.3M).