Housing Headlines

FALL RIVER --- Now that the renovation of the 131-unit Pleasant View public housing is complete, housing authority officials will be able to move nine families from the Corky Row project into new units at Pleasant View and begin the process of tearing Corky Row down.

NEW BEDFORD --- Gov. Deval Patrick was in New Bedford recently to celebrate two housing events --- Preservation of Affordable Housing rehabilation of the 173-unit United Front Homes (now known as Temple Landing) and the beginning of construction on the Cliftex Mill, which will be turned into7 6 low-income and market-rate housing units for people 55 and older.

SUDBURY --- Around 60 residents packed the hearing room in Lower Town Hall recently to hear the Zoning Board of Appeal's consultant advice on how the town should proceed in considering a comprehensive permit (40B) application by Avalon Bay to build 120 apartments.

VINEYARD HAVEN --- The nonprofit Island Housing Trust has been able to break ground on a six-unit affordable homeownership effort thanks in part to the town's approval of a Chapter 40B comprehensive permit and $380,000 in Community Preservation Act funds. Accoring tto IHT's Philip Jordi, Wentworth Way will be built in two phases, with two duplexes expected to be done and sold by next spring to income-qualified households earning 80 percent and 100 percent of the average median income (AMI).

YARMOUTH --- At the recent special town meeting, voters approved a non-binding warrant article urging the town to buy back or seize 19 acres that was given to the housing authority 20 years ago for affordable housing. The warrant article stemmed from a petition drive by residents concerned that the housing authority's preliminary plan to build in phases over 100 units of housing may impact wetlands, cause flooding and more traffic.

PITTSFIELD -- Work will begin today toward the conversion of the former A.H. Rice silk mill into affordable housing -- a $14.7 million project that local business leaders and housing officials expect will revitalize the Morningside neighborhood.