Housing Headlines

ARLINGTON --- In a letter sent to the Town Meeting members, Ottoson Middle School students asked for a change in zoning bylaws to allow for more multifamily homes. They have asked for the creation of a new district that allows for the construction of multifamily homes and creation of pockets of multifamily housing zones around public transportation. The letter states that students believe that spreading multifamily homes around town will create more ethnic diversity in Arlington Public Schools.

QUINCY --- NeighborWorks Housing Solutions recently celebrated the ribbon-cutting of their newest development at 54 Winter Street. In partnership with the City of Quincy, Curtis Construction, West-Work Architects, and Father Bill’s and MainSpring, the development will provide 18 units of permanent supportive housing. This special needs development will provide homes for individuals who have experienced homelessness.

Gloucester --- Valerina Gloucester LLC is seeking to amend the existing permit for an eight-townhouse condominium to pay a fee “in lieu” rather than build an affordable unit onsite. The attorney on behalf of the owner states that more good can be done to address East Gloucester’s workforce housing needs by contributing to the affordable housing trust fund rather than building a standalone on-site unit. The matter has been continued to the Council’s next planning and development committee meeting scheduled for June 21.

WILLIAMSTOWN --- By a handful of votes, a motion to expand zoning for manufactured homes failed at town meeting. The proposal called for a zoning reclassification of manufactured mobile homes as a single-family residence. Planning Board member Stephanie Boyd said the move would have addressed the town's affordable housing concerns. A realtor speaking at the meeting stated that the proposed reclassification would not change the reality that manufactured mobile homes depreciate in value.

SOMERVILLE --- Residents prepared to deliver copies of a petition to city hall and a developer demanding that work on an affordable housing development get underway. Developer Union Square Station Associates has committed to building 51 housing units, 39 of which would be affordable, on a parcel on Webster Avenue. Residents say they're tired of delays.

WORCESTER --- Worcester City Manager Eric Batista has presented a housing production plan and affordable housing preservation program to City Council to address the city's housing crisis. the housing strategy consists of three pillars: housing production preservation and healthy homes; homeowner, tenant and unhoused assistance; and public policy. While the city recently passed an inclusionary zoning policy that will require developments of 12 units or more to reserve 10 to 15 percent of their units for affordable housing, Batista said additional initiatives are needed.