Housing Headlines

SOMERVILLE --- A consultant's plan to push forward on a community benefits agreement for the billion-dollar Union Square redevelopment was met with resistance at a recent public meeting, with neighborhood groups pushing for a more open process with more public meetings.

BARNSTABLE --- A Hyannis-based housing agency's purchase of a home for a Cape family is being investigated by the state attorney general's office after a longtime employee of the agency reported that the deal may have deviated from usual procedures, the Cape Cod Times is reporting.

(Aug. 8, 2015) --- In an op-ed piece for Fox News, former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown urges presidential candidates in New Hampshire to talk housing because there's a shortage of affordable housing in the Granite State and voters are concerned about it.

WALTHAM --- After spending just under $5 million to remodel the Banks School into 24 condominiums for seniors 62 years of age or older, the city has received no bids to buy the building outright and will now begin the process of marketing and selling the condos individually, Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy says. The building includes three affordable units priced at $235,000.

WOBURN --- Four towns in the Woburn Daily Times newspaper company's coverage area are wrestling with Ch. 40B housing proposals totalling 341 units. Two towns - Woburn and Stoneham - are contesting in court the state's decision to overturn each town's denial of a 40B permit while Reading and Winchester are just beginning to debate the merits of Ch. 40B proposals before them.

BARNSTABLE --- While packing his moving van, freelance writer Jeff Harder articulates why he, his wife and so many other young people are leaving the Cape. This story illustrates why MHP worked with rural and Cape leaders for over a year on what could be done to address the cost of housing and stem the loss of people young and old. This resulted in Gov. Baker okaying a rural policy commission.