Housing Headlines

BEVERLY --- The Beverly Housing Authority recently received the final permitting required to construct two townhouses for low-income tenants on a parcel of land next to the Montserrat Station. The development will add four units of affordable housing and repair a single-family affordable home already on the site. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall.

EASTON --- A commercial developer recently approached the town with a proposal for 41 units of rental housing on Washington Street. The plan calls for 10 one-bedroom apartments and 25 two-bedroom apartments with nine apartments designated as affordable. The complex will include an onsite gymnasium for tenants, green space, a dog walking path, a bicycle rack and garages that would rent for $100 a month. Selectmen will continue to discuss the proposal in the coming months.

AYER --- A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held at 49 Main Street to celebrate the renovation of a former clothing store into retail space and affordable apartments. Built in 1872, the former Fletcher's Clothing Store was converted to include 2,400 square feet of retail space on the first floor with six one-bedroom affordable rental apartments above. The project received $250,000 in town Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds as well as $750,000 from the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). For more information about the retail space or apartments, contact Joan Hauf at (978) 302-6549.

MARLBOROUGH --- The Gutierrez Company recently presented a plan for a 243-unit housing complex to the ZBA. The Brookview Village development would contain a mix of bedroom types in four buildings with 61 units rented at affordable rates to qualified tenants. The development company plans to meet with local officials before moving forward with their plan.

DRACUT --- Developers recently celebrated the completion of a $6 million project on Nashua Road. Called Allard's Grove, the 56-unit complex is reserved for tenants 62 years or older with 25 percent of the units reserved for residents earning less than 80 percent of the area median income (AMI).

NEEDHAM --- Town officials recently entered into discussions with an affordable housing developer to bring a new complex to Greendale Avenue. Located on a 1.53 acre parcel of land, the newly proposed Greendale Village development would consist of 10 condominium units with two units reserved for households earning up to 50 percent of the area's median income (AMI). The developer plans to meet with neighboring households soon to go over his plan with them.