Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- Boston Medical Center's decision to invest $800,000 to help stabilize a long-neglected Dorchester apartment building is part of a $6.5 million investment the hospital is making in housing around the city. The investment is part of a state requirement tied to BMC's expansion. "Only about 10 to 20 percent of health is actually determined by what type of health care you get," says Dr. Megan Sandel, one of the leaders of BMC’s housing initiative. "Much more [significant are] the social determinants of health -- where you live, what your environment is like."

WORCESTER --- Following a narrow 6-5 city council vote against putting the Community Preservation Act on the November ballot, proponents have turned their attention to gathering 5,400 signatures to get the measure on the ballot via the initiative petition process. Joseph C. O’Brien, a former mayor, city councilor and a member of the Yes for a Better Worcester Coalition is hopeful, given that a survey showed 82.7 percent of voters support putting CPA on the ballot.

LAWRENCE --- Gov. Charlie Baker joined with local officials on July 9 to celebrate the grand opening of 55 market-rate apartments at the Wood Mill, the latest effort by developer and restaurateur Sal Lupoli to transform the massive mill site into a bustling mixed-use development known as the Riverwalk. According to Lupoli, Riverwalk today boasts 2.6 million square feet of space and is home to 5,000 employees in about 200 businesses. It also features 260 apartments.

WEYMOUTH --- In late june, the city's zoning board of appeals approved plans by Chris DiMambro of LT&E Properties to consolidate five Main St. lots, demolish the buildings and construct a five-story building that will include 153 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 210 parking spaces and 7,000 square feet of commercial space.

WORCESTER --- From the city's government to the housing authority to local organizations raising funds, Worcester stands out as a community that is helping people from hurricane-torn Puerto Rico. The city estimates that it has interacted with over 1,100 evacuees since Hurricane Maria hit on Sept. 20, 2017. The housing authority has helped over 200 in their search for housing.

FRAMINGHAM --- The city has hired RKG Associates to collect data and write a "Phase One Study" that would outline a strategic economic development plan and provide direction for futrue land uses. The effort is in response to voters asking for more detailed information of Framingham's existing characteristics. Eric Halvorsen, a senior project analyst at RKG, said one thing Framingham has going for it is location. While traffic can be challenging, the city touches routes 9 and 30, the Massachusetts Turnpike and the commuter rail, making it relatively easy for workers to get in and out. “It has a lot of different ways people can get in and out, which I think is an advantage,” Halvorsen said.