Housing Headlines

MILTON --- Two weeks after town voters rejected a zoning plan that would have complied with the MBTA Communities Act, Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit against the town. Campbell’s suit asks a judge to affirm that MBTA Communities and the guidelines created by the state’s housing office are mandatory and that Milton be given three months to pass a compliant zoning district. If the town does not meet that deadline, the suit asks a judge to prevent the town from enforcing any existing local zoning rules that are inconsistent with the town’s MBTA Communities obligation.

WRENTHAM --- Town Select Board members are considering fighting a state law that requires communities near MBTA train stations to allow more affordable housing. Wrentham is considered an MBTA Adjacent Community. Select Board members are scheduled to vote Tuesday, February 27, on whether to sign and send letters opposing the law to Gov. Maura Healey and Wrentham state house representatives. Some local officials contend the law is an unfunded mandate.

MILTON --- By a substantial margin, Milton residents voted to overturn the town’s state-mandated zoning plan. The vote represents a setback to the Healey administration’s efforts to tackle the state’s housing crisis and could also prompt legal action from the state if the town does not find a way to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. “Today’s vote is disappointing," said Governor Healey, "but we will continue to make the case for every community to embrace the opportunity that comes with creating more housing and making it more affordable for all.”

WENHAM --- Pulte Homes, one of the nation’s largest housing developers, is floating a plan to build 350 units of senior housing in a new complex off Grapevine Road near Gordon College. The Wenham Planning Board held an informational meeting with the developers on Thursday. The project would include seven four-story buildings with a total 350 units, 10% of which would be affordable.

NANTUCKET --- The Nantucket chapter of Habitat for Humanity has received a $4 million grant from the Select Board to go toward the construction of six affordable homes at 5, 7, and 9 Waitt Drive. The Nantucket chapter has already constructed 16 affordable homes across the island.

EASTHAMPTON --- The Easthampton City Council has signed off on two Community Preservation Act requests that could bring more than 180 affordable homes to the city. The council approved a $100,000 CPA request to fund predevelopment costs for the creation of 96 affordable housing units in the 1 Ferry St. Mill complex and an additional 87 units spread across three buildings available to those earning less than the median income in the area.