Housing Headlines

MILTON --- Voters at Town Meeting approved their most significant zoning change in nearly 100 years, loosening the town’s construction rules to encourage more multifamily housing developments, as required by a historic and controversial state law. Opponents say they will begin immediately to gather signatures to trigger a ballot vote on the zoning ordinance.

STATE --- During a meeting in Concord to discuss housing, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Edward M. Augustus said he's happy that Worcester is considering making accessory dwelling units legal in the city. He met with journalists from several Massachusetts newspapers that are part of the USA Today network to discuss the administration's proposed Affordable Homes Act and take questions.

BOSTON --- A ribbon cutting at 250 Centre Street, opposite the Jackson Square MBTA station, not only celebrated the completion of a mixed-income apartment building, but the knitting back together of a neighborhood demolished more than 50 years ago. The building has 100 units, 76 of which are targeted to middle-income residents and low-income residents.

BEVERLY --- The city has agreed to contribute $450,000 toward phase two of the Anchor Point affordable housing development. Beverly committed $400,000 in CPA money to phase two last year. But Harborlight Homes came back to the city seeking more money because of a budget gap of about $6 million due to rising interest rates and construction costs. The first phase, which has 38 units, opened last year. The second phase will have 39 units and is scheduled to be under construction in 2024.

NEWTON --- After months of debate, Newton City Council passed zoning changes allowing for denser multifamily housing in several key corridors of the city near transit in an effort to comply with the state's MBTA Communities law.

NEWTON --- Beginning in 2021, officials held community events and solicited feedback on a plan to meet requirements of the state law mandating more multifamily housing in communities served by the MBTA. Now, however, support for the city’s plan may be cooling. In the Nov. 7 local election, five newcomers won City Council seats after being backed by groups critical of the development plans.