Housing Headlines

HAVERHILL --- Northpoint Realty Development recently announced revised plans to build 360 townhouse and garden-style apartments on 113 acres in the city's Bradford section. The new plan will increase the percentage of units reserved for low- and middle-income renters from 20 to 25 percent.

LOWELL --- A Boston-based developer is working with the current owner to redevelop the Picker Building mill site into 70 affordable and market-rate apartments. The development team has applied for $11 million in tax credits from the state and hopes to hear about funding in early fall. If the project receives the state tax credits, construction could begin in early 2012.

DORCHESTER --- A coalition of local development organization and community groups recently announced plans to revitalize four acres of vacant or blighted property, redevelop 58,000 square feet of commercial space, and create 129 affordable homes. The affordable homes would be the direct result of the renovation and reconfiguration of 81 existing apartments, preservation of an 88-unit project know as Quincy Heights, and the new construction of 48 units.

ACTON --- Financing is set to close this month on the redevelopment of a former high school building into 15 rental units for low-income residents. The complex will include three one-bedroom apartments, nine two-bedroom apartments, and three three-bedroom apartments. The $5.6 million project is being funded by a variety of sources including Acton housing gift funds, federal and Massachusetts historic tax credits, state low-income housing programs, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Construction is set to begin in the next few months.

LOWELL --- The Coalition for a Better Acre recently announced plans to build 48 rental units for middle-income families on the site of the former St. Peter's Church on Gorham Street. The proposed project will include four one-bedroom apartments, 36 two-bedroom apartments, and eight three-bedroom apartments in two newly constructed six-story buildings. All of the units will be affordable to residents earning at or below 60 percent of the area median income, which translates to a minimum income of $29,000 and a maximum income of $53,000 for a family of four. Construction on this project could begin as early as the fall of 2012.

SOMERVILLE --- The 5.5 acre project, know as Maxwell's Green, is poised to break ground in the late May. The development will feature 199 rental units, 25 of which will be designated as affordable. The development will also include a yoga studio, weight room, club room, wireless work space, theater room, and green space.