Housing Headlines

WORCESTER --- The city will issue an RFP next month on a four-story, 13-unit May St. building that it foreclosed on in 2011 after learning that developers impropertly used some of the $2.3 million in federal funds while failing to redevelop the building into affordable housing.

LYNN - Banks would not be able to file foreclosures with the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds until they sat down with homeowners to discuss alternatives under a plan local City Councilors say will help keep residents in their homes.

BRIDGEWATER --- In response to Gov. Deval Patrick's request that towns in the southestern part of the state designate growth areas in advance on a proposed rail expansion, the Town of Bridgewater has designed the downtown area for growth as well as the former Claremont Property near Rt. 104.

NORTON --- Selectmen have unanimously voted to allow a new town meeting warrant article that would allow the town to seek special Norton-only legislation that would allow Norton to count over 400 units that it has permitted to be built through the state's affordable housing law known as 40B. The 400 units would put the town over the 10 percent threshold but they cannot be counted yet because builders have not yet applied for building permits. The law would ask the legislature to let the town count the permits even though the building permits have not been secured.

SOUTHAMPTON --- Concerned about the lack of affordable housing for young families and the elderly, the planning board and local housing authority have joined forces to file an inclusionary zoning proposal that would require developers to provide affordable units for projects of five units or more.

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.