Housing Headlines

MEDWAY --- A temporary moratorium on sewer line extensions passed at a March special town meeting could slow or stop Timber Crest LLC's bid to seek a Ch. 40B permit from the town to build 192 units.

WOBURN --- The state's Housing Appeals Committee has directed the city's Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to issue permits for the controversial 168-unit Ledges at Woburn affordable housing project. The ZBA had denied The Dolben Company's modified comprehensive permit in 2012 on grounds construction on the hilly site would unduly burden neighbors.

KINGSTON --- The town is beginning to see some units from its 12-year-old inclusionary zoning bylaw as a local builder has bought and renovated three homes for residents who qualify for affordable housing. The builder opted to create the affordable units off site from his development, which is an option under the town's bylaw.

NORWELL --- More than two-thirds of Town Meeting voters chose to transfer the former police station site to the town's Community Housing Trust for an affordable housing complex rather than sell the land for $1 to the American Legion or put the property out to bid.

WORCESTER - Nearly 400 families living in state-subsidized apartments managed by the Worcester Housing Authority will soon be required to meet work or school requirements to avoid eviction - a smaller-scale version of a sweeping change quashed by the federal government last year.

LEVERETT --- The small town of Leverett - located just north of Amherst - has voted at Town Meeting to use $160,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to assist low-income buyers purchase homes.