Housing Headlines

WINCHESTER --- Planner Brian Szekely recently led a discussion with town officials about the state's new multifamily zoning requirement for MBTA communities. The discussion focused on compliance deadlines and how creating a zoning district of 15 units per acre might impact neighborhoods around Winchester's two train stations. “This legislation is all about the housing shortage,” Szekely said, adding the Boston area added jobs but not housing.

NEWTON -- A developer plans to build a six-story, 244-unit apartment building with a mix of one- two- and three-bedroom affordable rentals on Route 9. Toll Brothers recently submitted an application to MassHousing under Chapter 40B to build the project. The 5.82-acre site at 528 Boylston St. is made up of multiple parcels with different uses.

SALEM --- Under the city's new ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units, homeowners can apply for a grant up to $47,500 for the design and construction of the ADU. Salem hopes to increase the affordable housing inventories through homeowners renting out a portion of their homes at discounted rates

WINCHESTER -- A developer is proposing to build 60 mixed-income apartments on a town-owned site at the corner of Washington and Swanton. Rent would range from $1,242 for a one-bedroom, to $2,618 for a three-bedroom. The proposed project by Melanson Development will go before town meeting in November. The town purchased the vacant commercial site last year after several private proposals to develop the site failed to come to fruition.

WORCESTER --- Bolstered by $15 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the city's new affordable housing trust is funding a program in which developers can apply for up to $150,000 per unit if it is used to create new affordable housing units in new or existing housing.

WATERTOWN --- In an effort to preserve and create more affordable housing, Watertown has established an affordable housing trust fund. The trust is starting off with $750,000 in federal funds and other sources. According to a recent report,more than one-third of Watertown renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their gross income on housing. Another 28 percent of homeowners were also cost-burdened.