Housing Headlines

REVERE --- In response to one 78-unit proposal in the city's Riverside section, the City Council voted 10-1 on a resolution that the city will stop developing housing under the state law known as Chapter 40B. In the resolution, the city declares it should have safe harbor from the law because 1.5 percent of its land is devoted to eligible affordable housing.

LEOMINSTER --- Plans to turn the former Carter Mill into 37 apartments took another step forward as the City Council voted to grant developers David Keiselbach and Dan Botwinik of Sterling Holdings, LLC a tax break. The vote was necessary in the developers' application for a state Housing Development Incentive Program grant, which would include the local tax break estimated at $335,000.

WALTHAM --- After two years in the making, an affordable housing rental voucher program backed by $2.1 million in CPA funds is available to residents. Proposed by the nonprofit WATCH and the Waltham Housing Authority, the program will provide residents with temporary housing relief for three years. Eligible applicants must be Waltham families and individuals with income less than 50 percent of the area median income, which is $34,350 for one person, $39,250 for two people, $44,150 for three people, $49,050 for four people, and $53,000 for five people.

NEW BEDFORD --- After the discovery of a homeless camp while responding to a tire fire, police told inhabitants they have 24-48 hours to pack up their things and vacate the premises, which is a private property.

LAWRENCE --- Reporter Keith Eddings takes a look at reasons why Lawrence's mills are attracting so much investment, from the Duck Mill which opened last week and three more slated for development next year when renovations at the Washington, Pacific and Wood mills are expected to begin.

WESTPORT --- After many years of planning, the town's Affordable Housing Trust Fund Specialist Leonardi Aray told selectmen that The Community Builders are scheduled to begin construction on the 50-unit Noquochoke Village this spring. The project is beinb built on town land and is being supported with $280,000 from the town's housing trust fund.