Housing Headlines

HYANNIS --- By focusing on investing in services that provide housing, a case worker and supervision in a supportive environment, homeless organizations say they are beginning to make progress in reducing the number of chronically homeless people on the Cape.

SPRINGFIELD --- In May, the city council approved three zoning changes that are key to developer Gordon Pulsifer's plans to do a $75 million renovation of 22 apartment buildings and 315 rental units in the Hollywood section of the city's South End. The city hopes that Pulsifer can do the same thing for this neighborhood that he did in the Upper Worthington Histric District, where his First Resources company renovated 27 buildings and 445 apartmetns. The improvements have reduced crime in the area, city officials say.

PROVINCETOWN --- Community Housing Resources Inc. is making progress in increasing the supply of affordable housing at the tip of the Cape. The Provincetown-based nonprofit was recently awarded $1.5 million from the state for its 23-unit Stable Path proposal near Race Point and it is weeks away from completing a 15-unit rental project on Shank Painter Rd. According to CHR President Ted Malone, there were 104 applications for the 15 units. There are 12 efficiency units and three one-bedroom units, with rents ranging from $580 to $750 a month.

GREENFIELD --- The nonprofit affiliate of the Greenfield Housing Authority has successfully completed the renovation of the downtown Winslow Building into 30 units of affordable rental housing.

LEOMINSTER --- Twin Cities CDC recently began accepting applications for 40 affordable apartments in the newly renovated Whitney & Co. factory building. The rehabilitated building, now called Water Mill Apartments, will rent one- and two-bedroom apartments once construction is complete in either August or September.

GRANBY --- Twenty years after the town purchased the land and four site plans later, the Town of Granby and its housing authority are finally celebrating the completion of 12 affordable rental homes for families. The six duplexes include six two-bedroom and six three-bedroom apartments affordable to familes below 60 percent of area median income. The town - population 6,500 and located north of Springfield - held an open house was held in March and a public event is scheduled for the spring, after the landscaping is done.