Housing Headlines

WINCHESTER --- Plans by Krebs Investor Group to apply to the town for a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit so it can build 296 units in the Forest Ridge neighborhood near the Stoneham line has already drawn strong words of protest from both towns. In a recent news story, town officials or residents said they are "under attack," that the project is "unconscionable," and that 40B is "killing small suburban towns."

BOSTON --- The state's annual award of federal tax credits and other state and federal funds for affordable housing was made on Aug. 15, with Gov. Charlie Baker announcing the creation or preservation of over 1,400 units in 26 projects across Massachusetts.

DENNIS --- Town officials stood firm in their support of building a 5-bed home for homeless vets, saying that something so "benign" would not hurt property values and that suggestions that the home be built in a commercial or industrial area would unduly isolate veterans and would be "discriminatory, punishing and inconsistent with Dennis’ values as a community.”

PITTSFIELD --- A Western Division Housing Court judge has found that a Pittsfield landlord and owner of 10 apartments has illegally discriminated against a mother of three by refusing to rent to her solely because she has a Section 8 voucher.

GREENFIELD --- The nonprofit development arm of the Greenfield Housing Authority is planning to address a longtime city need as it will open a sober house for women at a property that was seized for back taxes.

YARMOUTH --- Thanks in part to Town Meeting's approval of $155,000 in Community Preservation Act funds, six families will soon become homeowners thanks to a Habitat for Humanity project now underway in West Yarmouth. Yarmouth isn't the only place where the Cape's Habitat chapter is building housing. This year, Habitat has started or is planning to start two homes in Barnstable, four in Chatham and two in Mashpee. Next year, it is planning to start three in Truro, five in Barnstable, and the first phase of a development that will bring 14 new homes to Brewster.