Housing Headlines

HINGHAM --- Hingham officials and residents are objecting to a change in plans for a Ch. 40B affordable-housing development after developers shifted their vision from a 18-unit New England village-style complex to a 65,000-square-foot apartment-style 20-unit building, even though the developer said the changes are in response to town feedback.

PITTSFIELD ---A regional housing agency has received nearly $3.9 million in state funding toward the purchase - and eventual upgrade - of an affordable housing complex in Pittsfield and the construction of senior housing in Wlliamstown.

BARNSTABLE --- A 14-year-old accesssory apartment bylaw which allows and supports residents who want to create affordable units within their homes or on their property has resulted in 188 units - 140 currently active.

SOMERVILLE - The Union Square Citizens Advisory Committee has finished interviewing the 10 companies vying for master developer status and have scheduled meetings for April 2 and 8 to discuss finalists and recommend a master developer. The city's web site has a list of the 10 vying to be designated for this area, which is soon to have a new Green Line transit stop.

NORTHBOROUGH --- A lottery has been set for April 16 for four new senior affordable housing units built by the local nonprofit affordable housing corporation and financed entirely with $600,000 in Community Preservation Act funds. The new units, on Centre Drive, will be managed by the housing authority.

HOPKINTON --- Construction was recently completed on a 240-unit apartment complex on the site of the former Weston Nurseries property. The new complex, called Alta Legacy Farms, has 156 one-bedroom apartments and 84 two-bedroom apartments with 60 units reserved as affordable. The development is part of the mixed-use Legacy Farms project, which will include 940 single-family and attached homes, 450,000 square feet of commercial space and more than 500 acres of preserved open space