Housing Headlines

DORCHESTER--Pine Street Inn is partnering with The Community Builders Inc. to convert the Comfort Inn hotel in Dorchester into a permanent, supportive residence for formerly homeless people. The two organizations will host a virtual community meeting and question-and-answer session at 6 p.m. Monday, August 29, to talk through project goals and hear from residents.

High prices and a shortage of quality listings are driving homebuyers to purchase properties in their hometowns. A new study from the US Census Bureau and Harvard University finds that nearly 6 in 10 young adults (those born between 1984 and 1992) live within 10 miles of where they grew up, and 8 in 10 live within 100 miles. Many find the prices more reasonable and lot size and home square footage meets their needs.

ARLINGTON--Claire Ricker, Lowell's director of real estate for Coalition for a Better Acre, has been appointed Arlington’s director of planning and community development. She will oversee planning, housing, economic development, arts & culture, zoning, and transportation initiatives. She begins her new role September 19th.

The story of Kimberly O'Connor puts a face on what happens to working people who have to leave behind their home because of no-fault eviction. An increase in rent made her apartment unaffordable. She, her husband and the two children---one on the autism spectrum--had to move from their 3-bedroom apartment in Weymouth, to a smaller 2-bedroom apartment costing $625 more.

NEWTON--A public hearing is set for September on a proposed change in a local ordinance in the hopes of encouraging more housing units. Newton Zoning and Planning Committee will consider the proposal to allow accessory apartments to be included as part of new construction. Currently, they are allowed in primary residences that are at least four years old, or by special permit.

FRAMINGHAM --- Framingham officials are reviewing response received during recent public hearings to a proposed policy change for affordable housing. It would require developers seeking to build apartments in the city to make at least 15 percent of their units affordable, including 5 percent that would accommodate an even lower income threshold. Currently, new projects must include at least 10 percent affordable housing, which accommodates those who earn 80 percent or less of the area median income.