Housing Headlines

CHICOPEE --- The city's plans for a smart-growth zoning downtown district were recently approved by the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The program outlines downtown areas where housing can be built on smaller parcels than allowed by current zoning laws with at least 20 percent of new housing designated as affordable. The City hopes to get approval for the Cabotville condominium project permitted under the zoning district.

SPRINGFIELD, March 30, 2010 --- MHP joined Mayor Dominic Sarno and local non-profit HAPHousing on Tuesday, March 30 to celebrate the turnaround of a troubled 48-unit apartment compleix through an innovative program that uses court-appointed receivers, public grants and private funds to stabilize and rehabilitate the distressed properties where tenants are currently living.

BOSTON (MISSION HILL) --- WinnDevelopment recently began construction on an adaptive reuse project that will transform two, four and five-story historic mill buildings into 62 units of mixed-income housing in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston. The Oliver Lofts will include twelve one-bedroom units, 39 two-bedroom units, eight two-bedroom duplexes, and three artist live-work spaces. Of the 62 units, 35 will be reserved for households earning at or below 60 percent AMI and eight units will be reserved for households earning at or below 30 percent AMI. The expected project completion date is July 2011.

WORCESTER --- The Zoning Board of Appeals recently approved a series of variances that will allow the final phase of the Kilby-Gardner-Hammond project to begin. The final phase of the 92-unit scattered site project will include the construction of 22 units of affordable rental housing in seven energy efficient buildings. The entire revitalization project is a partnership involving the Main South CDC, Clark University, the Worcester Boys & Girls Club and the city.

NEW BEDFORD ---The Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development was recently awarded $4.48 million in federal stimulus funds to help convert a former school in affordable housing. The non-profit developers plan to turn the former Ingraham School into 19 affordable apartments with an after-school program and community room in the basement level. Construction is expected to begin in early June.

BOSTON (DORCHESTER) ---- The Archdiocese of Boston recently announced that three former Catholic Church properties will be converted into affordable housing for families. The non-profit developer affiliated with the Archdiocese, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA), will be working in partnership with St. Mary's Women and Children Center and Holy Family Parish to redevelop the former St. Kevin's Parish property in Uphams Corner. Non-profit developer Caritas Communities will redevelop the two parcels of the former St. Peter's Parish campus into housing for the "working poor."