Housing Headlines

In another in a series of articles on income disparities, reporter David Scharfenberg reports on the causes and effects of housing production trends in Eastern Massachusetts, where just 21 percent of federally subsidized housing units are located in high-opportunity communities, according to research done for the Globe by Brandeis University.

WORCESTER --- The state Department of Housing and Community Development is now reviewing Worcester's ambitious urban renewal plan, which outlines plans to revitalize 118 acres of downtown real estate. The plan, which focuses on 20 properties, encompasses a total of 118 parcels and 380 properties and could result in the creation of 1,100 construction jobs and 1,400 permanent jobs.

BRIDGEWATER --- An Easton developer is proposing to build a 150-unit residential subdivision on an 88-acre site that is one of the last expanses of farmland in town. Developer Muhammad Itan has proposed to use a Ch. 40B permit to build three-bedroom homes on 10,000 square-foot lots. Thirty eight would be sold at affordable prices.

EASTHAM -- The selectmen got their first view of the draft site plan for the development of the 11-acre Purcell Campbell property the town purchased for affordable house housing 11 years ago. The project will be constructed by Pennrose Properties, a Philadelphia- based company with an office in Boston. Preliminary plans call for 65 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

CHELMSFORD --- In keeping with what's been happening around the state, the Lowell Sun is reporting that the last two homeless families living in Chelmsford motels have moved out as has the last homeless family living in a Methuen motel.

FRAMINGHAM — With new high-end housing projects planned for the town, members of the Fair Housing Committee have met with an academic and a longtime municipal planner to discuss the challenges the town faces in ensuring the elderly, minorities and the poor can find a place to live.