Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- In announcing his administration's ambitious plan to build 53,000 new units of housing by 2030, Mayor Martin J. Walsh resurrected the idea of of having the city adopt the Community Preservation Act, something the city voted down in 2001 after a concerted effort by businesses to defeat the measure. Since then, the number of communities in Mass. that have adopted CPA has grown to 155.

WESTPORT --- The town's affordable housing trust is offering a new program that will provide funds to developers who build projects in which 30 percent of the units are affordable.

SPRINGFIELD --- State and local officials gathered in downtown Springfield recently to celebrate the $9.45 million renovation of four buildings and 47 affordable apartments that were badly damaged when a tornado ripped through the city on June 1, 2011. The properties are owned and managed by Home City Housing, a Springfield-based non-profit.

BOSTON --- State officials have teamed up with cities and towns north of Greater Boston to put together a list of developer-friendly neighborhoods and parcels. The list includes Charlestown's Sullivan Square, Revere Beach, downtown Malden and the East Boston waterfront. report builds upon previous regional planning efforts completed during the Patrick Administration, including the South Coast Rail Corridor Plan and the 495/Metrowest Development Compact Plan.

OAK BLUFFS --- At a brainstorming session to discuss how the six towns on Martha's Vineyard could work cooperatively to build more affordable housing, the executive director of the Community Coalition said the Island has been a leader in taking a regional approach to CPA spending.

SOMERVILLE --- Booming Union Square, which is seeing new housing and commercial activity in advance of gettinga new MBTA Green Line branch by 2017, will be soon adding a new arts venue as an investor group associated with rock 'n roll promoter Don Law has bought the old post office at 237 Washington St.