May
1
2009
This is a link to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office Abandoned Housing Initiative program. The program was created to support municipalities currently affected by the large number of foreclosures in the Commonwealth.
March
4
2009
This report, written by Barry Bluestone of Northeastern University, Mary Huff Stevenson of University of Massachusetts-Boston, and Russell Williams of Wheaton College, finds that an extraordinarily high cost housing market has a substantial adverse effect on a region’s ability to retain population and attract new residents, even where there is employment growth.
March
1
2009
Includes essays on the SoftSecond loan program in New Bedford, acquisition and rehabilitation of rental units in Lawrence, smart growth in Pittsfield, a 40B development in Middleborough, MHP technical assistance in Foxborough, and bond financing to refinance an expiring tax-credit project in Boston.
February
20
2009
This is a compilation of frequently asked questions about receivership.
February
20
2009
This document provides information about how receivership initiatives work in Springfield and Worcester. This document is a resource for municipalities interested in becoming involved in a receivership program.
January
1
2009
Economist Ed Moscovitch finds that the three most important factors in determining metro area employment growth are how much housing the region builds, its success in attracting new residents, and the extent to which it is dependent on manufacturing employment.