Housing Headlines

In a strong editorial, the Lawrence Eagle Tribune chides communities for the usual ways in which they resist housing development and work with developers to build more housing. The paper writes, "Instead of standing in the way, trying to delay and harass any new development, we need to embrace growth and plan for it. That means working with developers to create better projects, rather than simply grumbling about changing times and trying to slam the community door shut on newcomers."

HYANNIS --- In an op-ed piece in the Cape Cod Times, a family therapist argues that the best way to fight downtown Hyannis' homeless problem is to provide more housing and support services that will provide people with the stability to live on their own.

WORCESTER - The City Council Tuesday night unanimously approved a tax-relief deal that will help finance the planned $7 million redevelopment of the vacant El Morocco Restaurant property on Wall Street into market-rate housing. Branded Realty plans to demolish the former restaurant building and construct a new 60-unit apartment building. A local company, Branded has already invested more than $10 million in renovating properties, including at Harrington Corner and the former Edward Buick property on Shrewsbury Street.

FOXBORO --- With the recent approval of a 248-unit rental apartment building, Foxboro's supply of affordable housing will jump from 8.9 to 12 percent.

MARBLEHEAD --- A Salem News editorial takes Marblehead residents to task for their resistance to a proposed 87-unit assisted living facility, asking the town whether it would be rather be known for preferring to shuttle seniors out of town to maintain property values.

WALTHAM --- The Waltham City Council passed a resolution that would transfer $4 million of Community Preservation funds to the Waltham's Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund to acquire additional affordable housing with permanent deed restrictions. That's not the only proposal on how to address affordable housing with CPA. There is currently a rental voucher proposal before the City Council that aims to use $2.1 million in CPA funds to assist 50 families by providing rental subsidies to landlords. The Waltham Housing Authority would administer that program.