Housing Headlines

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.

AMHERST --- Plans for North Amherst's mill district continue to take shape, with Beacon Communities outlining plans to build 130 apartments (26 affordable) on land it will be leasing from W.D. Cowls, which has a building supply store near the site. Included in the project would be 22,000 square feet of commercial space which would be owned by Cowls.

GREENFIELD — After serving as impromptu homes for hundreds of homeless families over the last few years, just one homeless family remains in Greenfield’s hotels, according to the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

BOSTON --- Similar to recent efforts by Brockton to clear its homeless camp, the Boston police last week evicted from the Boston Common a fairly large group of people who had been sleeping and hanging out for many weeks on the grass near the T’s Park Street Station.

CAMBRIDGE --- Eight years after it closed its rental voucher waiting list of over 6,000 applicants, the Cambridge Housing Authority is reopening its waiting list and offering low-income families and individuals the ability to apply on line. CHA officials explained it does not have a pool of vouchers to give out but needs to rebuild its list so it has applicants as current voucher holders leave the program.