Housing Headlines

WORCESTER --- State and local officials recently gathered to celebrate the announcement that the city had received $3.96 million in federal low-income tax credits that will be used to construct 22 new affordable housing units. The new apartments will be part of the ongoing Gardner-Kilby-Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project, already consisting of 88 affordable housing units.

WORCESTER --- Winn Development recently announced that the redevelopment of the former Chevalier Furniture building into 64 loft-style apartments will be completed at the end of the summer. The Canal Lofts will consist of 64 apartments, 32 of which will be designated as affordable with income cutoffs at $37,500 for one-bedroom apartments and $45,000 for two-bedroom apartments.

CHINATOWN --- The development team of New Boston Fund Inc. and the Asian Community Development Corporation recently won approval from the City of Boston for a revised plan at the site called Parcel 24. The plan will include 295 rental apartments and 50 condominium units, of which 95 rental units will be affordable and all of the condominium units will be affordable. The average price of a two-bedroom condo will be about $175,000, while a two-bedroom apartment will rent for about $540 a month to qualified tenants, and for about $1,170 at market rates. The complex will also include retail stores, an underground garage, and a park. Construction is scheduled to start in the first half of 2012.

EASTON --- Land that was once considered for a large affordable apartment complex is under a purchase-and-sale agreement with a new developer. Iqbal Ali, president of the MetroWest Builders of Shrewsbury, has proposed to build 70 townhouses and 10 single-family homes with 18 units reserved as affordable for residents with incomes that fit within a certain range.

READING --- A developer is seeking permits to redevelop the vacant site of the former Addison-Wesley publishing company into a residential development. Developer Pulte Homes of New England wants to build 424 ownership units on the 25-acre site with 16 townhouses, 208 condominium units for people over the age of 55, and 200 condominium units with no age restrictions. The developer would reserve 40 of the condominium units with no age restriction as affordable to individuals or families that meet certain income criteria. If permitting proceeds smoothly, the developer plans to have the first units ready by spring 2012.

CONCORD --- Developers recently began construction on a 350-unit apartment development on Old Power Mill Road in the southwest corner of town. The Longview Meadow site will include 11 three-story buildings, each with 28 units, and 42 two-story town house units, for a total of 350 units. Of the 350 units, 88 will be designated as affordable. In addition, the project will include a 6,000-square-foot clubhouse with pool, fitness center, and other amenities.