Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- In a move that reflects the growing recognition that stable housing plays a critical part in improving public health, the Boston Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital plan to spend $3 million over three years to fund housing programs through grants to community organizations. The first $1.5 million is slated for families struggling with unstable housing, including those behind on rent payments and at risk of eviction.

BOSTON --- Following up on a 15-story proposal for Boylston Street in the Fenway, the British student housing firm Scape has acquired a 99-year ground lease on string of buildings in Davis Square for just under $10 million. The private dorm developer's purchase includes buildings that house the Burren, McKinnon’s Market, the Sligo Pub, several restaurants and a parking lot.

BOSTON --- In response to resident complaints in Boston's South End that more homeless people are staying overnight and are becoming more aggressive, Boston police have stepped up patrols and are making more arrests, a response that is welcomed by some and denounced by others, who feel tensions are being raised and people are being moved away from services they need.

As recent studies by the Mass. Smart Growth Alliance and The Greater Boston Housing Report Card have noted that towns are adding more tools to create housing, Boston Globe correspondent Jennifer Fenn Lefferts that the towns of Saugus and Dedham have called for moratoriums on mixed-use development, while Arlington postponed a spring vote on zoning that would promote more housing.

ADAMS --- Earlier this month, a debate over whether the Town of Adams should adopt smart growth zoning to make it easier to build more housing turned ugly, with opponents worrying about what how new residents would impact municipal services and the quality of life. Reportedly, a single mother who had moved to town spoke up and said she was having second thoughts, given the tenor of the conversation about newcomers. She eventually left in tears as some in the crowd reportedly encouraged to act on her notion and move out of town.

BOSTON --- In the same week that the Metropolitan Area Planning Council issued a study that found that 30 percent of the parking spaces in 200 Boston area apartment buildings go unused, the Bay State Banner published a story about resident concerns over a 25-story Dudley Square proposal that will feature 241 rental units and no onsite parking spaces. The Rio Grande development - proposed by an African American real estate team led by longtime Boston real estate owner Lisa Guscott - isn’t the only proposal that may put a strain on parking in Dudley Square. Six major city-owned lots have been put out to bid over the last year, including the Blair Lot on Washington Street.