Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) has filed a letter of intent with the Boston Redevelopment Authority for a $16.4 million affordable rental development at City-owned land formed by the triangle of Heath, New Heath and Bromley streets.

FOXBORO --- In their final meeting with the zoning board of appeals, residents near a proposed 248-unit Ch. 40B apartment development expressed frustration at the developer's refusal to compromise on the size of the project, which they have described as a "battleship in a creek" in a formal letter of protest to the board. Residents also say if the project goes forward, proposed road improvements onto Rt. 140 are too small to handle the expected traffic.

NEW BEDFORD --- Standard-Times reporter Kathleen McKiernan take a detailed look at how the Section 8 federal housing subsidy program is working in New Bedford (2,200 households use the program) and how the city handles problem properties, landlords and tenants.

PITTSFIELD --- Rees-Larkin Development has secured bond financing to proceed with the $12 million renovation of the 100-unit, 11-building Dalton Apartments. The combination of tax credits and loans will ensure that the apartments will continue to be rented at affordable rates.

MARLBOROUGH --- The city council will allow developers of a 60-unit condo development to pay $450,000 to the city rather than comply with the city's inclusionary zoning ordinance requiring that 15 percent of the unit be sold at an affordable price. The funds will be put into a downtown economic development fund.

BOSTON --- Related Beal's plans to build a $230 million complex with 239 apartments for low- and moderate-income tenants with an adjacent hotel took another step forward last week as the City of Boston approved a tax break for an yet to be disclosed amount.