Housing Headlines

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.

EVERETT --- In preparation for the opening of the Encore Boston Harbor casino, the City of Everett is preparing to implement a new ordinance that would institute a 3 percent community impact fee on short-term rentals. Although the new revenues have not yet been earmarked for a specific use, the city says it's likely the funds will be used for affordable housing and infrastructure.

CHELSEA --- A project first proposed by YIHE Forbes of China in 2015 as 1,000 units and skyscrapers 21 stories tall has finally made its way through the avenues of Chelsea's government as the zoning board of appeals has OK'd a revised plan for 590 units, with 60 percent of those units being condos for sale and 59 units being affordable. The project will be built in an industrial area near the waterfront at Chelsea Creek.