Housing Headlines

GREENFIELD ---- Governor-elect Charlie Baker's pledge to put an end to homeless families living in hotels has resonated in Greenfield, where approximately 85 homeless families live in two hotels - a number that has been pretty steady for the past two years, the newspaper reported.

WESTON --- Residents voted at special Town Meeting on Dec. 2 voted to spend $2.7 million to create seven units of affordable housing and another $1.2 million to acquire and renovate another property into two units.

NEWTON --- The developer who pursued a 'friendly' 40B and eventually got the permit from the city to build 36 condominiums now says he is seeking a partner because the seven-month permitting process took longer and was more costly than expected.

EASTON --- Hoping to gain greater control over affordable housing developments, selectmen voted 3-1 to support Avalon Bay's 290-unit Ch. 40B proposal over Dolben Company's 228-unit plan because it would put the town's supply of affordable housing over 10 percent.

WENHAM --- Beverly-based Harborlight Community Partners has proposed a 60-unit elderly affordable housing development on Maple Street in Wenham. To be called Maple Woods, the developers will be asking the town to grant it a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit.

MONTAGUE --- An update to the town's housing plan looks to a future in which almost a third of town residents are over 65, and it begins to identify areas in which affordable and accessible housing might be encouraged. The plan is the work of an advisory group including town planners and local social services.