Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- In an interview with the Boston Globe, the new secretary of housing and economic development, Daniel O'Connell discusses the essential links between affordable housing and the state's economic expansion.

CHICOPEE --- The city hopes to spur homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families by offering approximately $1M in loan funds to developers to construct or rehabilitate single-family homes.

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. --- Previously limited mostly to northern states, the ease and affordability of modular construction has prompted many developers to explore this method as a possible solution to the housing shortage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

DANVERS --- The redevelopment of a former state hospital makes progress as the first of twelve buildings in the 500-unit effort is ready to be rented.

SOUTH SHORE --- Though the South Shore's spending for affordable housing has trailed behind the other three CPA categories, Cohasset has led the way, spending over one-third of its allocation towards affordable units, and many other communities including Braintree are working to advance housing proposals.

BEVERLY --- The city hopes to approve a 30-unit, mixed-use development near its commuter rail station, but in order to do so, the zoning board will have to vote to permanently increase the city's building height restrictions. Height limits were recently granted a variance in a nearby effort by the same developer which resulted in 46 housing units.