Housing Headlines

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2011 - The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced $64.5 million in affordable housing resources and tax credits directed to support the construction of 25 rental developments in 15 communities across Massachusetts. The projects will create an estimated 1,500 construction jobs. Funding from today's announcement will support projects in Acton, Arlington, Beverly, Boston, Cambridge, Chicopee, Danvers, Gloucester, Lee, Lunenburg, Mashpee, New Bedford, Somerville, Springfield and Worcester.

FRAMINGHAM --- The $32 million renovation of the public housing authority's World War II era development at Concord place is nearing completion, as all families have moved into the 110 renovated town houses. Housing authoirty officials say they have succeeded in renting the apartments to people in three income tiers ranging from about $100 to $1,100 a month depending on income.

CHATHAM --- The town's affordable housing trust fund committee has approved the use of $345,000 to acquire 3.5 acres and help the Chatham Housing Authority begin the development of five affordable homes. Of this total, $300,000 will be used to purchase the West Chatham property and $45,000 will be used for predevelopment work needed to clear the way for a nonprofit developer to come in and build on the site. The town's trust fund is supported mostly with funds raise through the town's Community Preservation Act.

In an opinion piece for the local paper, Plymouth's community development director, Bruce Arons, worries about the lack of affordable housing given that wages have not kept up with the high cost of housing, even though prices have dipped lately.

ANDOVER --- The Andover Zoning Board of Appeals will be busy for the next several months as it is holding hearing on two applications for 40B comprehensive permits - a 288-unit proposal on 10 acres on Shattuck Road and a 298-unit proposal on the grounds of the Rolling Green golf course.

PLYMOUTH --- Voters at fall town meeting will be considering a warrant article that calls for 35 acres of town-owned land to be preserved as open space, with 10 acres set aside for the development of eight affordable homes by the Plymouth Affordable Housing Trust and a yet-to-be selected nonprofit.