Housing Headlines

LUNENBURG --- Two local developers have recently proposed converting the old Primary School into 40 units of affordable housing for seniors. The Eagle Height project would consist of one- and two-bedroom apartments. The developers had initially tried to receive financing for the project through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) but are now looking for state grants. Developers hope to have financing in place by 2015.

SOMERVILLE --- A report about the housing impact of extending the Green Line into Somerville is warning that rents could skyrocket by as much as 67 percent in some areas and put lower-income residents at risk of being displaced.

ACUSHNET --- Hoping to add affordable housing at a size and scale it prefers, the town manager unveiled a housing plan recently that includes guidelines for negotiating with Ch. 40B proposals as well as setting benchmarks for how many units the town would have to add per year to gain temporary relief from 40B proposals.

QUINCY --- Patriot Ledger reporter Chris Burrell recently did a housing series focusing on the rising number of eviction cases in housing court, the rising rents on the South Shore and the impact of homelessness on families. The Ledger followed this up with an editorial and legislative reaction. Here are the links: http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20140201/NEWS/140139030/1994/NEWS http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20140202/NEWS/140209518/1999/NEWS http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20140203/NEWS/140209138/1999/NEWS http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20140202/OPINION/140138979/11669/NEWS http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20140210/NEWS/140219879/1999/NEWS

NEWTON --- A group of about 20 Court Street area residents met with Mayor Setti Warren at City Hall late last month to air concerns about a proposed 36-unit condominium project they say will change the character of their tight-knit Newtonville neighborhood.

WALPOLE --- Alleging that the town did not hold a public hearing within the required 30 days after it filed for a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit, Bayberry Homes did not appear before residents at a Jan. 22 ZBA hearing and has instead filed for a motion asking for a permit to build 174 units without a public hearing. The Town of Walpole says the Bayberry applicaton was incomplete and thus it could not schedule a meeting.