Housing Headlines

FRAMINGHAM --- Homeless for the past five years, a 22-year-old graduate of Keef Tech Regional High School has a new apartment and a new lease on life thanks to the South Middlesex Opportunity Council and a state program that provides grants to help homeless young people secure housing.

WORCESTER --- Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, and Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Janelle Chan were in Worcester today to announce $68 million in funding for the creation of over 600 units in 9 projects across the state.

BROCKTON --- Even as activists say rising home prices have begun to displace longtime residents, the City of Champions continues to rank among the state’s most affordable places to live. With median rental prices of $1,250 for a 1-bedroom apartment, and $1,530 for a 2-bedroom, Brockton edged out Lawrence, Worcester, Lowell, and Quincy in terms of affordability.

SHELBURNE --- In a move designed to help the town achieve its goal of having 10 percent of its housing supply be affordable, the planning board will present a zoning proposal that would reduce the minimum lot size in certain village districts from 20,000 square feet to 5,000 to 8,000 square feet.

DORCHESTER --- Dorchester Reporter news editor Jennifer Smith does a great job capturing the back and forth community meeting between Mayor Marty Walsh and organizers from Dorchester Not For Sale, the anti-displacement coalition that is advocating that 65 percent of new housing be affordable. Walsh responded that 65 percent is a great goal but there isn't a government funding source to achieve that level of affordability.

BOSTON --- The procession of new faces inside the Baker Administration's Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development is continuing with former Worcester chief development officer Tim McGourthy being named deputy secretary, replacing Carolyn Kirk, who is now the new executive director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. In December, Mike Kennealy was named EOHED undersecretary, replacing Jay Ash.