Housing Headlines

TEWKSBURY --- The Zoning Board of Appeals is expected to approve a 364-unit 40-B effort this week, which will boost the town's affordable housing up from its current level of five percent. The units will mostly be one and two bedroom apartments, and 25 percent will be considered affordable.

TAUNTON --- A developer plans to rehabilitate a 42-acre mill into a "self-contained mini community," including commercial space, condominiums, and assisted living facilities. The condominiums will be moderately priced and the developer is considering including below-market rental apartments as well.

WELLESLEY --- Residents agree that the town needs affordable housing to support its employees, but leaders struggle to create affordable units in a high-priced market while fighting back abutters that oppose increasing density.

BEVERLY --- The city has reached an agreement with developers of a 46-unit luxury condominium project to include affordable housing in the plans. Five of the six units will be located off-site. Although city leaders would prefer the units to be mixed in with the new units, they agree that the net gain of housing is more important than where they are located.

MARLBOROUGH --- Since a fire left a dozen people homeless in January, Marlborough officials have been cracking down on illegal apartments. Earlier this week code enforcement officers cracked down on another landlord of an illegal three-unit apartment. At least one tenant was displaced.

NATICK --- The Community Development Director introduced a 40B proposal at town meeting that would add 404 affordable units in two buildings near the Natick Mall. The new units would help Natick surpass the state's 10 percent affordable housing requirement.