Housing Headlines

CHATHAM --- The town is looking for help from residents at a March 20 meeting to develop a new housing production plan and a housing needs assessment. Chatham’s last housing production plan was completed in 2018 and expired in November. "Prices have gone up, and when prices at the market-rate go up, that means the gap between what's affordable and what's market-rate gets even bigger," said Housing and Sustainability Director Gloria McPherson. "So it's harder to achieve your goals."

SOUTH HADLEY --- The Planning Board has endorsed a zoning amendment permitting mixed-use multifamily residential development in a district that currently doesn’t allow it. The board voted 4-1 to recommend the amendment for approval at Town Meeting despite public criticism. The amendment heads to Town Meeting in May. “Things take a long time and we’ve been trying to expand housing in town for a quite a while,” Planning Board Vice-Chair Nate Therien said.

BROOKLINE --- MassDevelopment has issued a $39.9 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of 32 Marion Apartments LLC, a Brookline Housing Authority affiliate, for constructing 115 affordable housing units in Coolidge Corner. The one-bedroom units will accommodate seniors and individuals with disabilities, replacing 60 outdated public housing units. Construction began in January 2024 and is slated for completion by December 2025.

STATE --- Governor Maura Healey's $4.1 billion housing bond bill is moving forward in the legislative pipeline. The Housing Committee gave the measure a favorable report. After having custody of the bill (H 4138) for more than four months, committee members did not make any changes and advanced it as Healey drafted it.

MILTON --- Two weeks after town voters rejected a zoning plan that would have complied with the MBTA Communities Act, Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit against the town. Campbell’s suit asks a judge to affirm that MBTA Communities and the guidelines created by the state’s housing office are mandatory and that Milton be given three months to pass a compliant zoning district. If the town does not meet that deadline, the suit asks a judge to prevent the town from enforcing any existing local zoning rules that are inconsistent with the town’s MBTA Communities obligation.

WRENTHAM --- Town Select Board members are considering fighting a state law that requires communities near MBTA train stations to allow more affordable housing. Wrentham is considered an MBTA Adjacent Community. Select Board members are scheduled to vote Tuesday, February 27, on whether to sign and send letters opposing the law to Gov. Maura Healey and Wrentham state house representatives. Some local officials contend the law is an unfunded mandate.