Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- A $1.4 billion housing bond bill was temporarily derailed on Thursday, July 25 by Sen. Bob Hedlund of Weymouth, who objected to a specific amendment designed to stop an affordable housing project in Norwood. Hedlund argued the amendment would set a precedent by stopping a project for one community. "You cannot just stop one project," he said.

WEST BOYLSTON --- Hoping to control growth and ward off unwanted apartment developments, the town has submitted an affordable housing plan to the state which if approved would give the town more control over growth if it can create 14 units of affordable housing each year for the next five years.

ASHLAND --- Selectman got their first look at a developer's plan to build 140 rental apartments near the Ashland Middle School. Capital Group Properties is planning to seek a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit from the town to construct four buildings that would include 74 one-bedroom and 66 two-bedroom apartments.

AMHERST --- With affordability restrictions expiring and the new owners in the process of raising rents, some residents of Echo Village are continuing their fight to stay. Advocates for the tenants have appealed to U.S. Rep. James McGovern while some residents have taken their case to the regional housing court.

QUINCY --- The state has awarded two Quincy-based homeless shelter organizations thousands in federal funds to shelter and find permanent housing for the homeless but one of the recipients said that its public funding supports the sheltering of 133 people per night, whereas their shelters in Brockton and Quincy average 233 people per night.

BOSTON --- In a July 24 Boston Globe op-ed, Commonwealth Magazine's Paul McMorrow - a regular Globe contributor - says Mayor Tom Menino's goal of building 30,000 new housing units doesn't fit with the city's restrictive zoning.