Housing Headlines

WESTFIELD --- The Community Preservation Committee voted to fund the entire $410,000 to turn the historical Old Town Hall at 20 Broad Street into 18 affordable housing units for veterans. A request for initial funding of $150,000 was made by Domus, Inc., an affordable housing organization and development consultant Michael Cucchiara. After discussion at the meeting the committee voted to fund the entire $410,000, out of $575,000 currently available in CPA funds restricted for affordable housing.

STATE --- As the state considers the governor’s proposed Affordable Homes Act, a group of 16 western Massachusetts legislators are advocating for amendments to meet housing needs in their region. Those who signed a bipartisan letter had concerns about the real estate transfer fee, as it is written. “As it is rendered, it will not help western Massachusetts communities because the threshold is too high,” the letter states.

LYNN --- More than $2.2 million has been invested to increase affordable housing opportunities in Lynn since the city created the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2022. City Council approved an ordinance in June of 2022 establishing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which, in tandem with an inclusionary zoning policy, is designed to provide the city tools to address the critical issue of housing affordability.

SWAMPSCOTT --- The Westcott, the 114-unit 40B apartment complex on Essex Street, is on track to open in the middle of 2025 after WinnCompanies said it secured $69.1 million in necessary financing. It will include 16 apartments at 30 percent of AMI, 62 apartments at 60 percent of AMI, 16 "middle-income" or "workforce housing" apartments for those earning up to 110 percent of AMI and 20 units at market rates. Developers say residents will receive a variety of transit-oriented amenities.

STATE --- The Boston area's 12 rapid transit communities approved new zoning plans to comply with the state's housing law ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline. Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Milton, Newton, Quincy, Revere and Somerville said yes. The communities will allow for a combined capacity of over 83,000 units.

SALEM --- The Southern Essex Registry of Deeds has acknowledged more than 500 properties in Essex County contain racial covenants that once prohibited people of color and other groups from owning them. John O’Brien, who has retired, issued a register’s notice listing all the restrictive deeds as his “final act” in office. The covenants are unenforceable. Harborlight Homes and North Shore Chapter NAACP brought the restrictive language to O'Brien's attention last year.