Housing Headlines

ROXBURY --- In advancing this weekend's YIMBYtown convention at Roxbury Community College and the Reggie Lewis Center, Commonwealth Magazine's Michael Jonas does a deep dive into the origins and philosophies of the movement and the counter movements swimming around it, such as a coalition of tenant activists like the Boston Chapter of Right to the City, who will be holding a forum a half-mile away to argue that unbridled growth only exacerbates the affordable housing shortage.

WORCESTER --- The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Coordinating Council announced Wednesday that they've hired Mahesh Ramachandran of Smart Growth Economics to produce a city-wide housing study.

FALMOUTH --- A town-approved Ch. 40B housing proposal that aims to provide 21 market-rate homes and seven affordable selling for about $218,000 will be put on hold as neighbors have filed suit against the Zoning Board of Appeals, challenging that Aspen Group's Little Pond Village at Falmouth Heights will place a burden on a section of Alma Road that has been a private way.

BOSTON --- Core Investment's long-talked about plan to build a 600 apartments in Andrew Square has taken a step forward with the announcement that it is adding Samuels & Associates to its development team. Samuels is best known for its development of Boylston St. near Fenway Park.

LEOMINSTER --- State and local leaders gathered recently for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the beginning of the makeover of the 114-year-old Carter Junior High into 39 affordable apartments. The region's housing non-profit, NewVue Communities, is developing the brick school, using federal and state low-income housing and historic tax credits. The building served as the city's high school until 1963 before becoming a junior high. It has been closed since 1984. (Note: MHP has committed $500,000 in long-term financing from it's bank-funded loan pool).

SOUTH YARMOUTH --- State and local leaders gathered with developer Dakota Partners on Mon., Sept. 17 to celebrate the start of construction at Yarmouth Commons, a 69-apartment ,100 percent affordable development on the Route 28 site of the former Cavalier Motor Lodge. The Town of Yarmouth was integral to the project: it passed a zoning bylaw in 2006 encouraging the redevelopment of motels and has committed $2 million from its local housing trust. (Note: MHP's Laura Shufelt provided technical assistance to the town and MHP has committed $3.8M in long-term financing).