Housing Headlines

HARVARD --- The story of the impending foreclosure of two town affordable housing properties took an interesting twist recently as the development company proposing to build housing at Devens took a look at the two properties. Trinity Financial President Jim Keefe said he agreed to see the Harvard Inn and Great Elms properties to better understand the situation. Trinity is in the midst of trying to convince three towns - Harvard, Shirley and Ayer - to OK its plans to build 246 units of housing at the former military base.

LOWELL --- Despite city council's demand that work inspections be done with state and federal officials present, the housing authority has begun tearing down walls and inspecting electrical, gas and plumbing work that was finished and sealed up without final approval of city building inspectors. In addition, the housing authority board voted unanimously at a recent meeting that a Lowell Sun reporter covering the issue cannot step on HA property without permission.

HINGHAM --- While waiting for $750,000 in state funding, the developers of six affordable homes for military veterans are proceeding with construction and hope to be done by next Memorial Day, thanks to an interim loan from Rockland Trust. The developers - Father Bill's and Main Spring Inc. - have also received crucial support from the town when it voted last spring to appropriate $250,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to the project.

LEOMINSTER --- Construction work has begun on the adaptive reuse of a historic Whiting paper mill into 40 affordable rental homes. Developed by the Twin Cities CDC and funded with federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the project has created over 100 jobs, according to the construction company hired to do the work.

MEDWAY --- Five months after town meeting OK'd using $433,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to create a local housing trust, the trust committee has hired a part-time housing coordinator to help the town take steps to increase its supply of affordable housing.

SOUTHBOROUGH - Town officials are unhappy that a housing financing agency has given its support to 140 apartments of proposed affordable housing on Rte. 9, saying they never received the full plans from the developer.