Housing Headlines

Besides making certain zoning changes possible by simple majority rather than two-thirds super majority, the state's new Housing Choice legislation also allows developers to ask judges to impose a $50,000 bond on anyone who wants to appeal a housing development approval, including any that fall under the state's 40B statute. One local official said this could have a chilling effect on abutters' appetite to challenge development if the court could assess costs for causing project delays. "I can't imagine the average residential neighbor willing to bet $50,000," said Bob Galvin, Norwell's town counsel.

PROVINCETOWN --- Four abutters have sued to overturn a building permit that was granted to allow the construction of a workforce housing building that would offer 112 bunk beds in 28 dorm-style rooms. The complaint argues the developer - Patrick Patrick (not a typo) - does not have access rights to the site.

NEWTON --- Concerned that its "local preference" policy for affordable housing applicants unduly benefits white people, Newton is considering changing it to provide more housing access for people of color. The current policy sets aside 70 percent of affordable units for people who live, work or have children in the city schools. Changing the standard is not without precedent as Brookline recently lowered its local requirement from 70 to 25 percent.

HAVERHILL --- Mayor James Fiorentini is proposing a bylaw that would require that 10 percent of new housing built in the city be affordable. City officials acknowledged that details need to be worked out, such as what project size would trigger the requirement and whether developers could make payments in lieu of creating affordable units. Fiorentini agreed but said, "we need to keep our city affordable so that the average Haverhill resident can afford to live here."

PROVINCETOWN --- With the town's year-round rental stock down 40 percent from 2000, the Provincetown Independent weekly newspaper take an in-depth long look at how this is impacting year-round residents and workers and explores whether funds from the town's recently-expanded short-term rental tax can't be used to prevent year-round homes from being converted into short-term vacation rental properties.

ARLINGTON --- With the town expected to get $34 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds, Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine is drafting a plan to present the town and housing is on his list. “Our first priorities I think are going to be to recoup any losses we have had to the general fund due to the pandemic, and also working with tenants and homeowners on aid to help them if they have been negatively impacted by the pandemic,” Chapdelaine said. “We will also be looking at small business aid, updating our water and sewer system, affordable housing, working with homeless outreach programs, public health upgrades and updating the school HVAC systems.”