Housing Headlines

Worcester --- Worcester Housing Authority is seeking federal funding for redevelopment of the Lakeside Apartments complex at a cost of at least $260 million. The complex currently has 202 units. Proposed changes include increasing the capacity to 328 affordable units, while also having 28 home ownership units. Funding applications have been sent to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

WAREHAM --- Construction has begun on 93 new family and senior apartments. One-, two- and three-bedroom affordable and workforce apartments will be available at various income tiers. A housing lottery will be conducted, Pennrose is the developer. Completion is slated for summer 2024.

BOSTON --- A new development will bring 41 new housing units to East Boston’s Orient Heights Square. The Ford Street building will house 27 units, and the Saratoga Street building will have 14 units, seven of which will be income-restricted. At least one building will be considered for the city of Boston’s voucher program. The development is close to the MBTA Blue line and will have space for bicycle parking for both residents and visitors.

HAVERHILL --- Bethany Community Services has launched an affordable housing lottery for Merrimack Place and its 48 apartments now under construction on Water Street, near Central Plaza. The lottery is for people 62 and older. An informational meeting about the application and lottery process is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 6.

NEWTON --- In a few weeks the village center overlay proposal is expected to come up for a vote, allowing Newton to meet the requirements of the state’s MBTA Communities Law. The new rules would encourage preservation of existing homes over tear downs, creation of smaller, multifamily homes close to village centers and above existing shops and eliminate some of the challenging regulations that have made it hard to open a business there. At the final public hearing, a majority of the speakers opposed the changes.

NEW BEDFORD --- At a recent first-time homebuyer event at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, organizations, mortgage lenders and agencies, including HUD, offered assistance to first-time homebuyers. The purpose of the event was to connect people with the resources that can make becoming a homeowner within reach, including downpayment assistance programs and homebuyer education courses.