Housing Headlines

MASHPEE --- The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will hold a social gathering on Saturday, Jan. 27 to honor Alice Lopez, the tribe's first housing director. Lopez was integral in advocating for the 42-unit affordable housing development on tribal land that was recently funded by the Baker Administration. Lopez died in 2011 from complications following a fractured ankle and blood clot she suffered when walking the 58-acre Meetinghouse Road site in 2010.

WORCESTER --- The president of the largest minority-led multicultural organization in Central Mass. is urging Worcester officials to expand its revitalization plan beyond downtown into the city's Main South neighborhood.

LYNN --- With some new jobs, transportation enhancements and at least 1,500 apartments in the pipeline, the City of Lynn is optimistic that more economic development is ahead.

TAUNTON --- The city's Zoning Board of Appeals has granted East Boston-based Neighborhood for Affordable Housing Inc. (NOAH) a special permit to transform the Union Block industrial building into 36 mixed-income apartments, three more than the developer originally proposed. The permit included other conditions, such as requiring the developer to create an additional 15 parking spaces and laundry/recreation rooms on each floor.

HYANNIS --- Small business owners on the Cape told a Senate task force that they need more support, not more regulation, and raised concern over a variety of issues, including a lack of affordable housing which is hampering their ability to find and retain workers who are needed to replace those retiring from the work force.

FALMOUTH --- Reading-based Aspen Group's bid to build 28 mixed-income homes is being met with concern from local residents who feel the number of homes is too many for the 4.9 acre site off Worcester Court and Alma Road. Developers estimate that of the total, 21 will be market rate, selling for about $580,000, with seven considered affordable, at about $218,000.