Housing Headlines

WORCESTER --- The city moved once step closer to adopting an inclusionary zoning law as the planning board voted unanimously that the city council adopt the measure. The draft ordinance would require developments with a net production of 12 or more units to reserve 15 percent of their habitable square footage for renters/buyers who earn 80 percent of the area median income for the city or 10 percent for those who earn 60 percent AMI.

ROCHESTER --- At a recent meeting of town departments, local officials said they believe that a Ch. 40R district at the corners of Routes 28 and 58 will meet the state's new multifamily zoning law for MBTA communities.

BOSTON --- While defendants who face prison time are guaranteed a defense lawyer, there is no such safety net in housing court, meaning tenants are severely under-repreented when battling potential eviction. According to a recent story in the Globe, 97 percent of defendants facing eviction represented themselves while 88 percent of landlords were supported by an attorney.

STONEHAM --- The town is considering rezoning a former 7.6 acre commerical site to allow housing, a move local officials say is designed to help the community comply with the state's new multifamily zoning law. "This article will bring the town, if not into compliance, then very, very close to compliance with (the new law)," said Kevin Dolan, a longtime planning board member.

PITTSFIELD --- Two days after being first woman to be elected governor in state history, Maura Healey participated in a roundtable policy discussion in Pittsfield where housing was a main topic. “We talked about housing and the incentives for the creation of housing that will be affordable for families here in the state because right now there are too many middle-class families who cannot afford rent, cannot afford down payments, can't afford housing," said Healey.

A shift in the way the Boston, Cambridge and Brookline housing authorities value rental vouchers has given Section 8 tenants greater ability to rent in high-cost, high-opportunity areas. According to the Boston Globe, the three housing authorities received permission from the federal government to vary the subsidies by zip code instead of one flat rate for the region. As a result, there's been a notable increase in Section 8 voucher holders moving into neighborhoods with less poverty and a higher share of adults with jobs.