Housing Headlines

LOWELL, May 10, 2013 --- Three separate authorities began clearing homeless camps from the banks of the Merrimack River early this month, leaving at least some residents with nowhere to go. Some had already left, and others said they expected to be able to stay one more night.

MILTON --- A Sunday morning meeting between public officials and a developer at town hall may result in the developer scrapping his 40B application to build 72 rental units at the Hendries site and instead seek a special permit to build 38 condominiums and some commercial space. The meeting was reportedly organized by Sen. Brian Joyce and inclued Planning Board Chairman Alex Whiteside, Boad of Selectmen Chairman Tom Hurley, Town Planner William Clark, and Jeremiah and Steve Connelly who are trustee and developer of Carrick Realty Trust.

WORCESTER - A city ordinance intended to force far-flung banks to see to the upkeep of foreclosed properties has had the unintended consequence of adding to the financial burden of struggling mortgage borrowers, much to the dismay of city leaders. The ordinance requires a bank or other company that files a foreclosure petition to notify the city and deposit $5,000 for each petition in a special account controlled by the city treasurer. But according to a story reported by Tom Caywood in the Sunday Telegram, banks and other financial institutions increasingly are lumping the $5,000 cost into what the borrower owes, making it less likely that struggling homeowners can catch up on their payments and end the foreclosure process before losing their homes.

WAYLAND --- A variety of factors ranging from density to the propriety of senior citizen's living atop a former septic facilility was enough to convince town meeting voters to shoot down a proposal to sell the town-owned site so it could be redeveloped into market rate and affordable senior housing.

FALL RIVER --- The ZBA recently granted a variance allowing 26 additional two-bedroom units to be added to a planned 103-unit senior housing project at the former North East Knitting Mill site. In addition to the 26 units, the project will consist of 81 two-bedroom and 26 one-bedroom units in the first phase of development. At least 80 percent of the units will be occupied by one person age 62 or older. No information was available about the construction start timing.

ACTON --- The Acton Housing Authority (AHA) recently announced the new construction of 12 affordable family units on Sachem Way. The project, McCarthy Village II, will be certified under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes program. Units will be completed and ready for occupancy this summer.