Housing Headlines

ORELANS --- In its first joint meeting since the town voted to create and fund an affordable housing trust, the trust board and the affordable housing committee met to discuss possible sites that could be purchased for development, including the Olde Tavern Motel and Inn on Route 6A.

LENOX --- The town's efforts to get a developer to build housing on a 19-acre former sawmill site took another turn recently as two developers made their pitch before local leaders and citizens at town hall. Pennrose Properties proposed to build 56 rental units while two regional non-profits said they would partner to build a multi-generational community with 50 mixed-income apartments.

BOSTON --- Calling it the "single largest opportunity to grow the middle class in Boston," Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards is concerned that HYM Investment Group's plans to build 10,000 units at the former Suffolk Downs race track in East Boston and Revere will not include enough affordable housing and the rents" for the 1,000 affordable units will be higher than what many East Boston residents can afford.

CHATHAM — Calling it a new approach to create housing for year-round residents, selectmen this week threw their support behind a zoning bylaw amendment that allows the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the amendment, which will be put before voters at the May 13 annual town meeting.

WORCESTER — The city has to repay the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development $553,000 because federal funds used for two housing developments more than a dozen years ago did not create the required affordable housing units. The projects were located at 531 Main St., a four-story mixed-use building at Main and Federal streets downtown, and at 32 Providence St., the former Shaarai Torah East synagogue, which was converted to housing.

CAMBRIDGE --- A citywide zoning proposal that would essentially allow developers of 100 percent affordable residential projects to build taller and denser projects than would normally be allowed was greeted with passionate pleas from both sides at a recent city council hearing, with some arguing the move is long overdue and others saying the measure, while well-meaning, could wreck neighborhoods.