Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- As part of the federal government's goal to end homelessness among veterans by the end of 2015, the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development is aiming to house 100 veterans in 100 days, in partnership with the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, the Pine Street Inn and HomeStart.

DORCHESTER --- The $56 million renovation of nine public housing buildings and the construction of two new public housing buildings is at the centerpiece of a $100 million effort to revitalize the Quincy Street Corridor, an artery between Blue Hill Ave. and Columbia Road. A collaborative effort involvling Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corp., Quincy Geneva Development Corp., United Housing Management, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative and Project RIGHT, investments will go toward rehabilitating existing housing, creating 129 new affordable units and the creating a $14.5 million Pearl Small Business Food Production Center, a shared, multi-tenant food production facility.

GREENFIELD --- A surge of homelessness that forced the state to put Greater Boston families into Greenfield motels and surprised the school system with 96 more students seems to be abating, as the state has begun to move some families back into shelters around Boston.

ACUSHNET --- Local real estate developer Jose S. Castelo has incidiated he will apply to the town for a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit so he can build 36 rental apartments. Castelo says he's already got the OK to tie into Fairhaven's sewer system and said the project will consist of 18 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments. Selectmen have called a special meeting to discuss the plan on Oct. 21 and one selectman has already indicated he would be amenable to the project if it were restricted to people age 55 and over.

ASHLAND --- While nearby residents are pushing the town to adopt an amendment that would direct the town to let an affordable housing agreement expire, selectmen have instead granted developer EA Fish a series of extensions relating to its attempt to acquire land and use a 40B permit to build an over-62, 112-bed project called Robert Hill Way.

ORLEANS --- The prime supporter of a plan to build homes for autistic adults near the elementary school was surprised when the school committee voted 4-1 not to set aside 3.3 acres for the project.