Housing Headlines

A Lynn resident's struggles illustrate that even a $200 rent increase can be catastrophic for Massachusetts’ poorest residents. Mother of three, Olga Valiente says she can barely manage her $1,900 a month rent, which her landlord has increased to $2,100. Her predicament is a reminder that, for the most economically vulnerable Massachusetts residents, even small increases in the cost of living can be catastrophic — no matter how reasonable the bottom line might look from the outside. Her case also casts doubt on the notion that production alone can solve the housing crisis in Massachusetts.

The state has struggled to craft clear guidelines for ‘in-law units’ and ‘granny flats’ that some call the ‘low-hanging fruit’ of housing policy.. Efforts to legalize ADUs statewide have fizzled on Beacon Hill, most recently last week, when a promising amendment died with the economic development bill. That leaves regulations up to cities and towns, creating a patchwork of local rules that developers say is nearly impossible to navigate at scale. As the state continues to wrestle with a deep housing crisis, the few that have popped up have already proved their worth.

During a panel discussion, Acting City Manager Eric Batista spoke of the city's commitment to “Housing First” solutions and providing robust wraparound services, including the Aurora Apartments on Main Street being renovated into 85 affordable housing units in the city, with 55 of the studios reserved for individuals making 60% or less of the area median income and the remaining 30 reserved for individuals making less than 30% of the area media income; the proposed creation of 28 efficiency units on 38 Lewis Street and 21 units of tiny houses at 268 Stafford Street.

SALEM --- The city has announced that it will use $9.5 million in federal pandemic relief funds for affordable housing, including $5 million earmarked directly for new construction. Additional uses include $1 million for accessory dwellings, $1 million for affordable housing energy efficiency, $1 million for the housing trust fund and $100,000 for a pilot program that would examine ways the city could have the right of first chance to purchase buildings with affordable units before they can be sold to developers.

Worcester could raise more than $3.7 million in fiscal year 2023 for open space, recreation, housing and historic preservation if residents opt in to the Community Preservation Act this fall, according to a new report by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. Enacting the CPA property tax surcharge would cost the median residential property owner $43.46 per year and the median commercial property owner $174.23. Worcester City Council voted in April to place the CPA on the November ballot for voters to decide on a 1.5% surcharge on both residential and commercial property taxes.

NORTHAMPTON --- Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra announced Northampton is working on affordable housing initiatives to help people who priced out of the market. The city is seeking bids to demolish the former Moose Lodge on Cooke Avenue for future housing development of up to four affordable housing units and recently transferred a surplus parcel on the western edge of the former Northampton State Hospital to Habitat for Humanity for three affordable housing units, and just completed upgrading the infrastructure on Laurel Street to accommodate the eventual development of 20 affordable housing units.