Housing Headlines

AMHERST --- With 19 lower-income families about to lose their apartments due to the sale of Echo Village, an Amherst Bulletin editorial outlines the region's acute need for affordable housing and urges the community to find ways to foster the development of off-campus student housing, including a recent disclosure that a Georgia-based Landmark Properties wants to develop a former 154-acre farm into 170 units for students.

AMHERST --- In an opinion piece submitted to the Amherst Bulletin, a college professor describes how his neighborhood changed from homeownership to student rentals and how this transition eventually led him to sell his home and move to a quieter neighborhood.

PEABODY --- Community Development Director Karen Sawyer's plan to increase the city's affordable housing stock by encouraging "friendly" 40B developments in designated areas like the downtown was greeted cooly some city council members, who instead suggested the city continue to try to get its large supply of mobile homes recognized as affordable.

READING --- Residents of Main St. and the Wood End area showed up in force at a recent selectmen's meeting to voice concerns over a rumored 60-unit 40B by an un-named contractor who reportedly has yet to file an application with the town. Resident concerns about the project included traffic, safety, crowded schools, vernal pools and fears that the project "will bring down the quality of life."

CHELMSFORD -- The town will build eight new housing units for veterans, and nearby Westford will create five, thanks to funding from both communities, the state Department of Housing and Community Development and other grants.

AMHERST - The community is grappling with another example of the strong demand for rental housing as several families at the 24-unit Echo Village Apartments may lose their housing at the end of March because the new owner intends to raise the rents.