Housing News Roundup

Acton: Homeowner brings perspective to Chapter 40B ACTON --- Two years ago, a local school teacher faced the reality that she would probably never be able to afford a home in Acton, where she's lived for 14 years, on her salary. Thanks to Chapter 40B she now owns a deed-restricted condo unit on River Street with her three children.

Reading: State approves 40R, will create 378 new units READING --- The state Department of Housing and Community Development has approved a 40R application submitted by National Development that will redevelop a 25-acre currently vacant site into a mixed-use development for affordable housing. The site will include 378 homes, including a mix of townhouses, elderly housing, and multi-family housing as well as office space. At least 40 of the units will be affordable.

State: Builders feel crunch as housing starts hit a 26-year low This spring, housing construction has hit a 26-year low, causing work to dry up for local contractors and home builders. Only 451 home permits were issued in the month of February, compared to 982 permits issued during the same month last year.

Worcester: Downtown area 'arts housing' receives $20M in funds WORCESTER --- The Dedham-based Economic Development Finance Corp. received $19 million in funds to begin working on a major housing project in the downtown Worcester arts district. The project will include 200 condominium and apartment units, as well as two large commercial areas and resident parking.

Falmouth: Affordable housing under radar, employer says FALMOUTH --- While Woods Hole residents have been criticized for opposing plan to turn 15.7 acres into 15 units of affordable housing, an employer argues that he and other businessman have bought homes for their workers to live, but that the state doesn't recognize or count them as affordable.

Lawrence: Community Works details $75M plan for 4 mills LAWRENCE --- The non-profit Lawrence Community Works is planning to team with local mill owners in a $75 million project that would transform a sprawling group of riverfront mill buildings into a complex of 150 or more apartments, a day-care center, retail shops, high-tech companies and possibly a satellite college.

Walpole: Weighs whether to explore 198-unit 40R WALPOLE --- Fairfield Residential LLP has proposed building a 198-unit rental housing development on the former site of Walpole Woodworkers. Selectmen are considering whether to draft a memorandum that would explore whether the town would consider this project as a smart growth Chapter 40R project.

Scituate: Towns hosts affordable housing summit SCITUATE --- The town's affordable housing summit drew a large turnout, signifying interest in being proactive about the shortage of affordable housing in town. Scituate's affordable housing stock is 4.5 percent, making it susceptible to 40B developments.

New Bedford: Local leaders hope to reuse school for housing NEW BEDFORD --- Although the city council on April 10 rescinded its approval of the sale of a former school for $100,000 to the Women's Institute, an organization that creates affordable housing, several parties with an interest in the sale said Tuesday they remain hopeful the deal can be put back together.

Hopkinton: Selectmen back $450K in CPA funds for housing HOPKINTON â€" Selectmen have endorsed using $450,0000 in community preservation money for the Hopkinton Housing Authority's proposed 12-unit rental housing development. According to the HHA, town funds will leverage nearly $3 million in public and private investment. The measure still must be approved at the May 5 town meeting.