Housing Headlines

AMHERST --- A 27-unit low-income housing project on Longmeadow Drive can proceed after a five-year delay, following the Supreme Judicial Court's rejection of an appeal filed by a group of neighbors.

BOSTON --- A study conducted by the MIT Center for Real Estate reveals that in communities south of Boston, only 41 percent of 40B efforts have survived local town appeals. Across Greater Boston, the success rate for proposed 40B projects has been significantly higher, at 57 percent.

ACTON --- As town leaders look to increase the affordable housing inventory in town, they have turned to the Community Preservation Act as a resource. Acton has begun a program using CPA funds to buy down the price of existing condominiums and place affordable restrictions on them - the first of its kind in the state.

WOBURN --- To supplement the affordable housing fund that the city established back in November, city officials have passed an amendment so that developers proposing to build more than two units must include 10 percent affordable housing in their plans. Developers can choose to buy out of the amendment by paying a fee that will be placed in the fund and used for housing.

NATICK --- The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved South Natick Hills, a 40B effort that will add 268 units of housing and exempt the town from any additional proposals until 2008. Officials are considering two other 40B proposals which would add approximately 100 additional units and thereby excuse the town from having to accept any 40B proposals for an additional year.

WEST BRIDGEWATER --- At town meeting, officials approved the Community Preservation Act (CPA), passing a one percent tax surcharge to raise funds for community housing, open space, and historical preservation. If approved at town elections next year, West Bridgewater could be the 128th town to pass the CPA in Massachusetts.