Housing Headlines

HOPKINTON --- The build out of Legacy Farms - a special permit-planned 1,100 unit mixed-use development on more than 700 acres at the former Weston Nurseries - is continuing with Pulte Homes getting the OK to build 425 condos and developer Roy MacDowell asking to build 180 units of over-55 housing that he says will bring in $1.5 million in taxes to the town.

LAWRENCE --- Mayor Daniel Rivera said his administration plans to target a handful of problem properties around the city to prevent another devastating fire like the one that displaced 53 people last week. Rivera said the building that caught fire and spread to other homes has been targeted by the city to be knocked down for two years and a housing court hearing was scheduled with the owner 12 hours after the fire. Rivera added there are 150-200 other properties in the city that are abandoned and pose health and safety hazards to the neighborhoods.

MILFORD --- A state housing finance organization has determined that Eden Management's plans to build 300 apartments is "generally eligible," clearing the way for the Waltham-based development company to apply to the town for a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit.

In taking a look at what drives homelessness across America, Boston Globe reporter Evan Horowitz finds that it's not poverty that drives homelessness, but that homelessness tends to rise in good economies and that regions with high housing costs also have larger homeless populations.

FALMOUTH --- In an effort to build consensus among town officials, private trusts and developers about what the town needs, the Falmouth Economic Development Council is providing $9,500 to get an update on the town's 2014 housing needs study.

HAMILTON --- Given resident pushback about affordable housing proposals - especially those of 10 units or more - town officials met recently with the state Department of Housing and Community Development to learn more about ways it could be proactive in encouraging affordable housing that that the community needs and will accept.